
Class _L ^fcii^-- 



Book _^A3_li: 



•j'.'i. 67th CoNGKESt-, \ 

3d Session. \ 



SENATE. 



f IldCl'MF.NT 
I Xn. 220. 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 



LIFE AND CHARACTER 



LIAM J, SEWELL 



(Late a Sfn.atok i-rom Xkw Jkrsey^, 



DKI.IVKKKl) IN llll': 



SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 



FIFTV-.SKVENTH CONIJRES.S, 
.Second .Session. 



W.ASHINGTON: 

GOVKKNMI: NT rRINTINc: o F r I C E . 



-Soils' 




Kl i£) 53. W J ii J..1 ■>. J . a 2: >y 3 LI. 



TABLE OF CONTENTvS. 



Page. 

Proceedings in the Senate 5 

Address of Mr. Kean, of Xew Jersey lo 

Address of Mr. Cockrell, of Missouri 15 

Address of Mr. Allison, of Iowa 20 

Address of Mr. Morgan, of Alabama 24 

Address of Jlr. Culloni, of Illinois IS 

Address of Mr. Proctor, oi Vermont 31 

Address of Mr. Daniel, of Virginia 33 

.\ddress of Mr. Warren, of Wyoming 3S 

Address of Jlr. Penrose, of Pennsylvania 42 

Address of Mr. Depew, of New York 47 

Address of Mr. Dryden, of New Jersey 55 

Proceedings in the House ^ 63 

Address of Mr. Gardner, of New Jersej' 70 

Address of Mr. JlcClellan, of New York 77 

Address of Mr. Hull, of Iowa 79 

Address of Mr. Steele, of Indiana S2 

Address of Mr. Stewart, of New Jersey S4 

Address of Jlr. Fowler, of New Jersey ^17 

Address of Jlr. Adams, of Pennsylvania 91 

Address of Jlr. Parker, of New Jersey 94 

3 



Death of Hon. William J, Sewell. 



Proceedings in the Senate. 



Jantakv 6, 1902. 

The Chaplain. Rev. \V. H. Millmni, D. I)., offered the fol- 
lowing prayer: 

O Thou, with whom are the issues of life and death, we are 
in Thy presence bowed, humble and reverent, as we remember 
that a chair upon this iloor is \'acant and that an honored 
member has passed .from among- us. Let Thy compassion l)e 
the succor and stay of the wife and children wIkj are bereaved 
and of the great circle of friends In- whom lie was loved and 
whom he loved in return. 

Nor would we forget, as we come to Thee, Thine lion(ire<l 
and beloved .servant, the junior Senator from Arkansas. 
Maintain his fortitude and flow of cheerful spirits. Bless the 
means used for the relief of his l)odily suffering. Grant to 
return him to such health and ; trength as he usually posse.sses, 
and speedily bring him Ixick with Thy benediction to his place 
upon this floor. 

These and all other mercies \\e humbly ask. in the name of 
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. 



6 Proceed/ II i;s in the Senate. 

DEATH OF SKXATiiK WILLIAM J. SKWKLL. 

Mr. Kkax. Mr. President, it i.s my ijainful (lut\' tu announce 
to the Senate tlie death of my colleague, Gen. \\'illl\.m J. 
Sewkll. He died at hi.s home, in Camden, on December 27, 
at 9 o'clock and 31) minutes in the morning. 

On some other day I shall ask that the business of the Senate 
be laid aside that appropriate tribute may be paid to his mem- 
ory. I ofTer the following resolutions, for which I ask ])resent 
consideration. 

The President pro tempore. The Senator from Xew Jersey 
offers the resolutions which he sends to the desk, and asks for 
their present consideration. The resolutions will be read. 

The .Secretary read the resolutions, as follows: 

Resolved, That the Senate has heard ^vill^ deep regret and profound 
.sorrow of the deatli of the Hon. Wir.r.i.\M J. Sewei.i,, late a Senator from 
the Stale of New Jersey. 

Resolved, That the Secretary connnunicate a i-ojn- of the?.e resohuions 
to the House of Representatives. 

The Pre;.SIDe;xt jiro tempore. Will the .Senate agree to the 
resolutions? 

The re.solutions were unanimously agreed to. 

Mr. Keax. Mr. President, I also offer the following resolu- 
tion. 

The President pro tempore. The resolution will be read. 

The Secretary read the resolution, as follows: 

Resolved. That as a further mark of respect to the memory of the 
decea.sed the Senate do now adjourn. 

The Prkside:nt jiro tempore. Will tlie Senate agree to the 
resolution? 

The resolution was tuianimously agreed to; anil (at 12 
o'clock and S minutes p. m. 1 the Senate adjourned until 
to-morrow, Tuesday, January 7, lyoj, at 12 o'clock meriilian. 



Proceedings in the Senate. 7 

January 7, 1902. 
message from the house. 

The message also transmitted to the Senate the resohitions 
of the House on the death of Hon. William J. Sewell, 
late a Senator from the State of Xew Jersey. 

December 9, 1902. 
memorial -addresses ox the late sen.ator willi.vm j. 

SEWELL. 

Mr. Ke.^x. Mr. President, I desire to give notice that 011 
Wednesday, tlie 17th of December, at .some convenient hour, 
I shall submit re.solutions in regard to the death of my late 
colleague, Willia.m J. Sewell, in order that appropriate 
tribute may be paid to his memory-. Circum.stances have 
been such that I ha^■e heretofore been unable to present the 
resolutions. 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES. 

December 17, 1902. 

Mr. Ki-:.\x. Mr. President, in pursuance of the notice here- 
tofore siven, I submit the resolutions which I send to the 
de.sk. 

The President pro tenijiore. The Senator from New Jersey 
submits resolutions, which will be read. 

The Secretary read th; resolutions, as follows: 

Rcsolt'fcl, That it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the 
Senate hears the announcement of the death of Hon. William J. Sewell, 
late a Senator from the State of New Jerse\-. 

Resolved, That the Senate extends to his family and to the people of 
the State of New Jersey sincere condolence in their bereavement. 

Resolved, That, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, 
the business of the Senate be now suspended to enable his associates 
to pay fitting tribute to his high character and distinguished services. 

Resolved, That the Secretar>- transmit to the family of the deceased and 
o the governor of the State of New Jersey a copy of these resolutions, 
with the action of the Senate thereon. 

Resolved, That the Secretary connnnnicate these resolutions to the 
House of Representatives. 

Resolved, That as an additional mark of respect, at the conclusion of 
these exerci.ses, the Senate do adjourn. 

The President pro tempore. Will the Senate agree to the 
resolution.s? 

The resolutions were unanimously at:;reed to. 

9 



Life and Character of William J. Sewell. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. KEAN, OF NEW JERSEY. 

Mr. PkesidexT: Almost a twelvemonth has rolled away 
since the mortal remains of General Sewell were conveyed 
to their last resting place in the beautiful cemetery of Harleigh, 
near Camden, X. J., and yet we feel the loss that has befallen 
his country and his State as if it were but yesterday. 

We miss him here — that tall, .soldier-like form, which for 
many years held conspicuous place among us. the friend and 
colleague to whose memory we pay our tribute to-day. 

In his ri.se from narrow and humble lieginning to eminence 
and leadership General Sewell exemplified those qualities of 
mind and heart which we have come to recognize as typical 
American. Gifted with resolution, patience, firmness, .self- 
reliance, he was destined to master in time whatever task he 
undertook — to prove his mettle in any field to which duty or 
opportunity might call him. 

Thoroughue.ss, constancj-, and loyalty were his watchwords. 
His success he owed to no caprice of fortune. He won again.st 
odds; it was the fruit of struggle and training — of capacit_\' 
unfolding itself as opportunit>' came — of that broad and hard 
experience in which our leaders in war, in politics, and in 
industry have almost all been bred. 

To this .school — the .school of Clay, of Jackson, of Lincoln, 
of Grant, of Garfield, of McKinley — \\'illl\,m J. Sewell 
clearly belonged. His leadership was established under the 
same conditions and through the same qualities. 

He was a younger .son of a family of yeoman proprietors 
possessing a freehold in the parish of Sebergham, Cumber- 
hind. I'.ngland. His father obtained a conimi.ssion in the ci\'il 



Add/rss of Mr. Kean, of Neic Jersey. ii 

service and went to Castlebar, county of IMayo, Ireland, as 
"collector of internal revenues" for that county, where he 
married a daughter of Captain Joyce, of the Fifth Regiment 
of Irish Dragoon Guards. The Joyce family was of Protestant 
Scotch-Irish descent. Although General Sewell had Init 
little Irish blood in his veins he cherished the greatest 
affection for the land of his birth and early associations. 

Born in 1S35. he was left an orphan at an early age: he fol- 
lowed a brother to the city of Xew York. As a youth he was 
adventurous and romantic, and at the age of 18 gave up a 
good business opening in order to enlist before the ma.st of an 
American merchantman, the Flyazcay, sailing for Chinese 
ports. After an adventurous voyage, on which he distin- 
guished himself for courage, he returned to the United States 
as first mate of that vessel. He engaged in .several business 
undertakings, and when the war broke out he had so many 
friends he was able to raise a company of his own. with 
which he enlisted in the Fifth Xew Jersey ^'olnnteers and 
became its captain. 

He participated in all of the engagements in which the Fifth 
Xew Jersey took part, and in July. 1862. was promoted to the 
lieutenant-colonelcy. He became colonel in September of the 
same year. 

At Chancellorsville he commanded the Second Xew Jerse}* 
Brigade and led a timely and successful charge again.st the 
enemv — a piece of .-soldierly .skill and daring which won imme- 
diate recognition, and later was awarded a medal of honor by 
Congress. 

Though wounded, he resumed his field duties for the Gettys- 
burg campaign, and on the second day's fight at Gettysburg 
was in the front line of the Federal left wing so fiercely 
assaulted bv Longstreet. There he again showed the greatest 



12 Life and Character of WilUam J. Sccccll. 

gallantn- and was again— and this time more seriously — 
wounded. From July 2 to August 31, 1864, he was retired 
for disability. But entering the .service afresh as colonel of the 
Thirty-eighth Xew Jersey ^'olunteers, he participated in the 
wasting \'irginia campaign which preceded Lee's surrender. 

For meritorious services he received brevets both as brigadier 
and as major general. 

From 1S72 to the time of his deatli he devoted much labor 
to organizing and strengthening the National Guard of Xew 
Jersey, bringing it to a new and highly creditable level of 
efificiencv. 

vSoon after the outbreak of the war with vSpain, President 
McKinley commissioned him a major-general of volunteers. It 
was his earnest wish to serve his country again in arms, but 
a higher dut\- interposed, and at the earne.st request of his 
Republican colleagues in this Ijody he decided to decline the 
appointment pressed upon him. Many of you will recall the 
appeal that was made to him not to abandon his seat in the 
Senate. 

"We do this," the letter read, " knowing that the appoint- 
ment is well merited by your distinguished militarv career and 
>-our genius for organization and command, but we feel in this 
exigency neither the party nor the country can forego in the 
vSenate the influence of ^-our experience, abilitx-, patriotism, and 
integrity in legislative .service." 

The fidelity and capacity he had .shown as a soldier were to 
as.sure his success in civil life. After being nurstered out of the 
service he wasted no time in seeking employment. The first 
place that offered was accepted, and, though not a renunier- 
ative one, proved to be most fortunate. It was with the 
Camden and Aml)oy Railroad, at Trenton. His great execu- 
tive ability in even mir.or positions was quickly recognized, and 



Address of Mr. K\aii. of Kno Ji-rscv. 13 

lie was sent to Caimlen as yardniaster. Diligence and compe- 
tence soon earned him promotion; he rose throu.tjh the various 
grades to be general superintendent, \ice-president, and finally 
president of what is now known as the West Jerse\' and Sea- 
shore Railroad Company. 

General Sewkll's active political career liegan in 1S72 with 
his election to the State senate from Camden County. He 
served three three-year terms in the .senate, and was its presi- 
dent while the Republican party had control. He fathered the 
resolution creating a commission to sug.gest amendments to the 
State constitution, and led the fight for their adoption. He 
also took a conspicuous part in the passage of New Jer.se3-'s 
general railroad law and of the railroad municipal tax and 
nuniicipal corporation acts. 

In iSSi he first entered this body, having Iteen chosen to 
succeed the Hon. Theodore F. Randolph. Six _\-ears later he 
failed of reelection, the legislature having a Democratic majtjr- 
ity on joint ballot. But in 1895 he regained his seat, succeed- 
ing the Hon. John R. iVIcPherson. In igoi he was elected for 
a third term, onl\- a fraction of which he .served. His last 
appearance in this body was at the extra<>r(linar>- session called 
by the President which terminated March 9, 1901. 

In his own State he long exercised an exceptional influence 
in ])art\' councils. He headed our State delegations to the 
Republican con\-entions of 1876, 18S0, 1884, 1888, 1892, 1896, 
antl ujoi-), and was New Jersey's recognized spokesman in all 
those gatherings. His power in the State organization was 
sometimes disputed, but ne\-er overthrown. On the con- 
trary, it grew with time, for it was ba.sed on unquestioned 
capacity, courage, loyalt\', and integrit\-. 

In all the heated and prejudiced struggles of faction no one 
could ju.stly reproach W'ii.li.vm J. vSewki.i. with a broken 
promise or a dishonornbic betrayal. 



14 I'iU' i-Jnd Character of William /, Sncell. 

Of his service in this body I need say Httle. Here, where 
his character was intimately known, his sterhng virtues were 
amply appreciated. He made few speeches. The part he 
phiyed was not spectacular. Yet the work lie did was emi- 
ncntl>- useful and lasting. His judgment on all important 
legislation was sought and \-alued. He was a tower of 
strength in council. His voice was potent in all decisions on 
legislative or party policy. 

In manner General Sewell has been charged with a certain 
brusqueuess and coldness. There was a hint of military pre- 
cision in his attitude. He sometimes carried directness to 
the point of bluntne.ss, but this manner reflected only his own 
deeper tendencies of thought and character. He lielieved in 
openness, in candor, in plain speaking and straightforward 
action. He scorned concealment and indirection, and he 
detested shams and insincerity. 

To all who knew him intimately this surface roughness 

covered a tender and generous heart. Always open, ahvavs 

high-minded, he won the ungrudging re.spect of his opponents, 

while attaching his friends to him in ever-tightening bonds 

of trust and love. 

His life wa.s gentle, and the elements 

So mix'd in him, that Nature mi<;ht stand up 

And sav to all the world, "This was a maul" 



Address of Mr. Cockrcll, of Missouri. 15 



ADDRESS OF Mr. COCKRELL, OF MISSOURI. 

Mr. President: It is eminently fitting that to-day the 
Senate of the United States of America should lay aside its 
legislative labors in order to pay its last tribute of respect, 
friendship, and honor to the memory of Hon. William Joyce 
Sewell, late a Senator in this Chamber from the State of 
New Jersey. 

General SewELL was born December 16, 1835, in Ireland, 
came to this country at the age of i8 years, and died at his 
home in Camden, X. J., December 27, 1901, respected, hon- 
ored, and loved by the good people of his adopted State and 
by all who knew him personally or knew of his noble, manly 
character and worth. ''A good name is rather to be chosen 
than great riches. 

His life record is a brilliant and illustrious one. worthy of 
emulation and inspiring and encouraging to those who clo.sely 
study it. At the age of 18 years, in this, his adopted country, 
he entered the arena for his life work with a sound body 
and a clear, vigorous mind; with honesty of purpose, fidelity 
in the discharge of every duty and trust, great or small, 
and firm determination to achieve success honorably and 
legitimately. 

He engaged in mercantile pursuits; and early after the 
beginning of the civil war in 1861, being loyally and patriot- 
ically devoted to his adopted country and the maintenance of 
the integrity of the Union of the States, he organized a com- 
pany of volunteers and was commissioned captain in the Fifth 
New Jersey Regiment on the 28th day of August, 1S61, and 
served during the entire war with distinguished gallantry 
and militarv ability. 



1 6 Life and Chai'micr of William J. Seivell. 

Oil July 7, 1862, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and 
in October of the same year to colonel, and participated in 
the many battles in which his regiment was engaged, and 
was severely wounded at the battles of Chaiicellorsville and 
Gettysburg. 

At the battle of Chaiicellorsville he was commanding the 
Second New Jersey Brigade and. at a critical po.sition. led 
forward his brigade in a daring charge and achie\-ed one of the 
brilliant successes of tlie war, capturing eight stands of colors. 
For his gallant and meritorious .services in this battle he was 
commissioned by brevet a brigadier-general of United States 
A'olunteers. 

On July 2, 1S64, he resigned as colonel on account of the 
disabilities incurred in the service in the line of duty. As .soon 
as he had partially recovered from the effects of his wounds, 
he again offered his services to his State, and was commis- 
sioned 1)\- the governor to raise and organize the Thirty-eighth 
Regiment Xew Jersey \'olunteer Infantry, and was mustered 
in as colonel October i, 1S64, and with his regiment took an 
acti\-e part in the operations about Petersburg, Va.. which 
resulted in the capture of i<ichinoiid, \"a., on April 2. 1865, 
and the surrender of General Lee at Apjiomattox on April 9, 
1S65. ^^'ith his command he returned to his home and was 
honorably mn.stered out on June 30, 1S65. 

For his gallant and meritorious services during the war he 
was brevetted major-general March i;,, 1865. In estimating 
correctly the gallaiUrx". military abilities, and services shown 
and rendered by General Sewell from early in 1861 to tlie 
middle of the >ear 1863, we must not forget the historical fact 
that that war was a war lasting for four long wear\- years, 
wherein the citizen soldiers of the Northern and -Southern 
SlateN of our I'nion, the !-.ol>iest and bravest soldiers who ever 



Address of Mr. Cocl-re//. of Missouri. 17 

faced each other in martial array and clashed in mortal combat 
in all the history of the world's wars, confronted each other, 
fearlessh- contesting every foot of ground and covering the 
field of battle with dead and wounded on each side. When 
such soldiers met each other in battle there was truly "the 
tug of war," testing to the fullest extent their endurance, 
courage, manhood, and (le\-otion. 

It was in such a war that General vSeweli. achieved emi- 
nent distinction and rendered meritorious services, justly 
entitling him to the brevets of brigadier-general and major- 
general. United States \'olunteers, conferred upon him by 
President Lincoln. When the war closed, in the maintenance 
of the Union of the States, General Sewell returned to the 
peaceful avocations of civil life with the .same courage, patri- 
otism, and devotion he had so conspicuously .shown during 
the war. 

He was that type of American soldier whom his comrades 
in arms respected, honored, and willingly followed. 

In ci\-il life he was that type of American citizen whom his 
fellow-citizens respectetl and loved to honor and to follow. 

As an officer he was brave, strict in discipline, mindful of 
the well-being of his men, and inspireil them with confidence 
and courage, and enjoyed their respect and love. 

Asa citizen, by his forceful character, great executive ability, 
untiring energy, incorruptilile integrity, and strict attention 
and devotion to duty and to the interests of his fellow-citizens, 
he inspired their respect, confidence, love, and loyal devotion. 
He attained the highest honors which his fellow-citizens could 
confer upon him as an American citizen by adoption and born 
a foreigner. 

He was three times in succession elected a State .senator from 
his home county, Camden, and was president of the senate in 
S. Doc. 226 2 



i8 Life and Character of William J. SczlyII. 

1876-1879 and 1880, when his party was in power, and while 
a member of his .State legislature was elected to the United 
States Senate in 1S81 to succeed .Senator Randolph, and ser\'ed 
in this Chamber to the expiration of his term in 1887. 

Politically General Sewell was a stanch Republican, and 
took an active part in all public and political affairs. He was 
elected a delegate to the Republican national conventions of 
1876. 1880, 1884, 1888, 1892, 1896, and 1900, and was made 
the chairman of his State delegation in each of the conventions. 

In 1895 he was again elected to the United States Senate to 
succeed Senator McPherson, and in 1901 he was reelected for 
the term beginning March 4, lyoi, and ending March 3, 1907. 

In addition to the many duties f)f the official positions he 
held, he was engaged in and connected with many business 
enterprises — banks, trust companies, and philanthropic societies. 

He took an active interest in the organization of the National 
Guard of his State and held high positions in that organization, 
and was the connnander at the time of his death. 

He was most earnestly interested in the proper management 
of the National Homes for Disabled ^'olunteer Soldiers, and 
was vice-president of the Board of Managers. He was emphat- 
ically a busy man in the fullest sen.se of the phrase. His 
energetic and earnest devotion to his multifarious duties 
doubtless hastened his untimely death in the meridian of his 
usefulness and honors. 

The respect, the friend'r'hip, the love, and devotion of his 
con.stituents, neighbors, and associates were made most manifest 
at his funeral obsequies. The people en mas.se turned out to 
pay their last tribute to his memory. It was a most impres- 
sive .scene. The religious services were conducted at his 
residence by Bishop Scarborough, of the Protestant Epi.scopal 
Church, of which General .Sewell was a member of the vestrv. 



Address of Mr. Cockrrll. of J\/issoi<r/. 19 

My acquaintance with him began when he entered the Senate 
in iSSi and became a member of the Connnittee on Mihtary 
Affairs. Our acquaintance soon ripened into warm personal 
friendsliip, which continued to his death. The more I was 
with him and the more I knew of him, the greater were my 
respect, admiration, and friendship fur liim. 

In his bearing General Seweli^ was ([uiet, reserved, and 
unassuming, and was cordial and faithful in his friendships. 

As a Senator he was faithful, industrious, and useful, and 
performed his full share of the duties and labors of the Com- 
mittees on Appropriations and Military Affairs and others of 
which he was a member. In his death the Sen.ate, his State, 
and our country have suffered a serious loss. We tender to 
his bereft family condolence, and point our countrj-men to 
the n.seful life, the meritorious .services, and the illustrious 
career of \Villi-V:\i J. Sewell, the citizen, the soldier, the 
statesman, the patriot, for encouragement, in.spiration, and 
enuilation. 



20 Life and C/iaraclcr of U^illiam J. Sciccll. 



Address of Mr. Allison, of Iowa. 

Mr. PkKSiDKXT: The senior Senator from New Jersey [Mr. 
Kean] and the .senior Senator from Missouri [Mr. Cockrell] 
ha\-ing detailed at hirge the military career and the civil ser\-ice 
of the late vSenator Skweli,, I shall only review them briefly. 

M\ ]iersonal ac<iiiaintance with General Sewell began in 
iSSi, when he became a member of the vSenate. Prior to that 
time he was well known to me as a leading citizen of the State 
of New Jer.sey and as one of the earnest, active, and influential 
Republicans of that vState. He was widely known as a great 
and gallant .soldier, as a conspicuous member of the Xew Jersey 
.senate for many years, and as a potential factor in the political 
and connnercial affairs of that State. He had been an 
important member of two Presidential con\-entions and had 
taken an active ]>art in tliL-ir deliberations: and as a leading 
Rejuiblican he was well known in nearly all the States of the 
Union. Therefore when he came to the Senate he was \i\ no 
means a stranger to tho.se then serving in this body, and 
enough was known of his capabilities to anticipate the value of 
his .service here, for it is a fact that when a Senator is finst 
elected to this bodx- there is as a rule a careful analysis made 
by vSenators of his record in ci\-il or militar}- life, in order that 
a just estimate mav lie formed of his prospective value in this 
Chanil)er. 

After what has been .said by the .Senators who ha\-e preceded 
me it is not necessar\- that I should dwell at length upon the 
active jiarticipation of Senator .Skwei.L in the affairs of the 
State of New Jersey, upon the great ability displayed by him 
;is a business man in the conduct of large afl'airs in his State, 
or upon his distinguished record in the civil war. Because of 



.-1 digress of Mr. Allison, of Iowa. 21 

his special kuowledge of inilitar}- affairs, iiiinicdiately 011 his 
entry into the Senate he was placed upon the important Com- 
mittee on Military Affairs. During the entire period of his 
ser\-ice in this body he remained a member of that connnittee 
and ])articipated activel\-, as those who served with him well 
know, in the framing of all the legislation considered and 
promulgated by it. At his death he was the ranking member 
of that committee next to the chairman. As is well known to 
us all, lie was especially conspicuous in the militar\- legislation 
made necessary by the war with Spain. His .services were so 
higlilv appreciated l)y the President that he tendered him a 
military command, with the rank of major-general. He was 
inclined to accept this distinction, but liecause of his valuable 
services on the connnittee and in the Senate at this critical 
period, at the unanimous request of the Republican Senators 
then here, he declined the proffered honor. 

Owing to the political situation in Xew Jerse\' he failed of 
reelection to the Senate in 18S7, though he was the tnianimous 
choice of his party, and his friends made a vigorous effort to 
secure his reelection. His defeat was occasioned by the legis- 
lature being closely divided between the two great political 
parties. Again, in the winter of 1S95, he was the unanimous 
choice of his party for Senator and was then elected, and 
reelected in 1901, so that at the time of his death he was on 
the threshold of his third term in the Senate. 

There being a vacancy in the Republican membership of the 
Connnittee on Appropriations, Senator Skwkli, was appointed 
a member of that committee in March, 1897, because of his 
general and special knowledge of matters coming before it, 
especially because of his long service here, because of his 
intimate knowledge, of all subjects relating to military matters 
and appropriations for the .support of the Army, and also 



22 Life and Character of William J. Scwdl. 

because of his extensive knowledge of all matters connected 
with the National Homes for Disabled \'olunteer Soldiers, of 
the Board of Managers of which, selected bj- the two Houses 
of Congress, he was an active member. His s^-mpathy for his 
comrades in arms and his desire to makes these Homes effective 
for the comfortable support of the veterans admitted to them 
led him to give particular attention to this subject. 

He .spent much time in this labor of love, making at least 
two visits annually to each of the Homes; and during several 
years he had general charge of one of the most important of 
them. He made their cause his own, and was .so familiar 
with every detail respecting their wants that his recommenda- 
tions were, as a rule, followed by the committee and by the 
Senate. This was because of his special information and 
experience and the confidence of his associates iti his judg- 
ment. This was true not only as respects all appropriations 
involving military affairs, but his views had great weight in 
the Senate upon all matters which engaged his serious 
attention. He proved himself a mo.st \-aIuable member of 
the Committee on Appropriations, .giving close attention to 
the detailed work assigned to him. He was at all times a 
safe counselor and a wi.se and judicious legislator. 

Whilst an earnest Republican, he often differed with his 
Republican colleagues upon matters of detail, and on such 
occa.sions was resolute and independent in the expression of his 
opinions in committee and in the Senate. Keen of perception 
and with a broad and thorough knowledge of aft'airs, he imme- 
diatelv grasped the essential points of a propo.sition. He 
pos.sessed the faculty of rapid deduction; was quick to make 
u]) his opinion respecting a question under consideration, and 
when made was slow to surrender his own judgment to 
others. 



Address of Mr. Allison, of foica. 23 

Senator Sewell was a man of comparatively few words. It 
was generally understood that he said only what he meant 
and meant always what he said. His opinions were expres.sed 
with force and directness and were susceptible of no misinter- 
pretation. 

It may b^ truly .said of him that he was a most able, valu- 
able, and useful Senator, not only in the committee room, but 
on the floor, and was, therefore, of great ser\-ice to his State 
and nation. His death is a distinct loss to his country, and 
is greatly deplored by all those who .served with him in this 
body. 

The home life of Senator Sewell was ideal in its hospitality 
and surroundings. Sociallx' he was always most agreeable, 
courteous, and kind to tho.se with whom he came in personal 
contact. He enjoyed especially the companionship of old com- 
rades and friends and greatly endeared himself to them. For 
these agreeable personal qualities I became strongh- attached 
to him. and because of them and because of his conspicuous 
public service and his high character as a citizen and Senator 
it is fitting that I .should take this occasion to pay this brief 
but imperfect tribute to his memory, having served with hira 
and known him well during all the period of his membership 
in this body. 



24 Life and Character of William J. Smrll. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. Morgan, of Alabama. 

Mr. President: Althon^ih Senator Sewell was severely 
antagonized to my State and the South during the civil war, 
and was oppo.sed tn nie in our jjolitical affiliations during 
the period of our service in the Senate, there were many 
points on which we were in cordial agreement. This is 
especially true as to almost every (juestion that concerned our 
relations with foreign countries during our joint service in the 
Senate. 

I have always felt stronger in having the support of his 
opinion and his wise judgment, which usually amounted to a 
firm conviction, when any measure was presentetl th:;t taxed 
me with perplexing doubts. In this just confidence in his 
sincerity and wisdom I belie\'e that I only shared the opinion 
of the entire vSenate. 

During several \'ears we were closely associated as members 
of the Senate Conunittee on Interoceanic Canals. 

In the personnel of that committee the majority were 
Republicans, and, as chairman. I would have had a disagree- 
able task if an\' party lines had affected the conduct of its 
meml)ers as to the great and delicate tjuestions confided to the 
committee Ijy the Senate. 

This is a fitting occasion, I think, to .saj- that no bod>- of 
Senators coidd have more completeh' discarded all jiolitical 
influence from their thoughts and actions, or could ha\-e 
devoted their laliors to the ser\-ice of the whole country more 
impartially, than has been true of that conunittee in perform- 
ing the exacting and difficult task assigned to them Ijy the 
Senate. And I am glad in say, in honor of our departed 
colleague, that his thoughtful and laljorious \vork on that 



Address of Mr. Morgan, of Alabama. 25 

committee and his wise couusel were anions the strongest 
supports of the supreme duty that Providence has assigned 
to the I'nited States, of providing a highway for the nations 
between the great oceans. 

He was very proud to be associated with this work, that 
only the United States can perform, and deser\-es the highest 
honors that its final completion will confer upon those who 
shall accomplish it. 

The subject was as broad as the ocean-borne commerce of 
the whole world, and the naval power of the United States and 
those intrusted with its exploration were required to proceed 
with caution, Init with l>old and fearless step, to reach conclu- 
sions that are logically .safe and will lie practically secure for 
all time. But this honest and able Senator was equal to the 
duty and fearless in its discharge. The benefit of his work on 
that committee will be felt through many ages to come. 

In this service and in all else that was confided to him General 
Sewell exhibited a mental trait wliich was a distinguishing 
characteristic. He always looked within for his convictions 
and opinions, and outwardly for the facts upon which he 
based them. 

He did not disregard nr hold in light esteem the opinions 
of other men, but his judgment was his own; he borrowed 
nothing from currents of thought in other minds, and no 
reflected color of .selfishness was permitted to stain the clean 
record of his final judgments. 

He was not aggressive in pressing his opinions on others, 
but he defended his own convictions with decided firmness. 

There was a directness, force, and singleness of purpose in his 
action in respect of public affairs that engaged his attention 
which left no doubt of his sincerity, and a clearness of concep- 
tion as to his duty, as he understood it, that forced him into 



26 Life and Character of ]\'illiani J. Snvcll. 

open controvers}- in support of his convictions with fearless 
intrepidit\-. It was not his adversary- with whom he waged 
any conflict of debate, but with his adversary's position or the 
principles he espoused. So that in the fiercest controvers}- 
he indulged in no personalities or invectives, and in his most 
strenuous debates he wounded no man's feelings and never 
made an enemy. This is a noble trait, a very great mark of 
true manhood that should characterize the bearing and deport- 
ment of an American Senator. 

General Sewell has left with us the memory of a high 
example in his dignified and honorable cour.se in this Chamber. 
His Irish blood fed a passionate flame that warmed his heart, 
quickened his .spirit, and drew his affections to high aims and 
generous actions. 

His friendships had the honest and sincere loyalty of love. 
They were honorable and ennobling, and were never tised for 
con\'enience or subordinated to personal advantage or unworthx 
ends. 

He was a wealthy and powerful man, but he did not court 
the favor of the rich or the support of the powerful at any 
expen,se whatever to his dignit\' or his principles. 

He never used his wealth or power for the oppression of the 
weak or the poor, nor did he, with a flaunting display of gener- 
osity, graciously condescend to help them. His generous Irish 
blood gave a natural flow to his .sympathies, and he met the 
poor and the weak with the hand of friendship that was newr 
empty or grudging and very many have grasped it in silent, 
tearful gratitude. 

As a soldier he was even rashly courageous. He did not 
stop to study .strategic arts of war when the enemy was in 
arra>' against his flag. 

His movement was to the froiU, and he touched elbows with 



Address of 3fr. Movi^av , of Alabama. 27 

his men as he marched steadily into the deadhest conflict. He 
did not rejoice in battle, and was not hired liy tlie ambition for 
victories: but he could not fail to respond to a call i.if duty 
because death was reaping its harvests from the field of battle. 
He was as gallant a .soldier as any who fell or any who sur- 
vived the battle of Chancellorsville, and a higher title to a 
soldier's chaplet of honor no man can win. 

Senator Sewell left a record here of duty well and faithfully 
performed that will long be referred to as a marked example of 
high Senatorial character, and will confer lasting and special 
honor UDon the State of New Jersey. 



28 Life and Character of William f. Sca-xll. 



Address of Mr. Cullom, of Illinois. 

Mr. President: With sadness I join with other members 
of the Senate in paying tribute to the memory of our late 
colleague, Senator Sewell. 

The majority of the members of tliis body knew him well. 
To know him was to admire him. He was a splendid citizen, a 
gallant soldier, an alile statesman. He was a remarkable man, 
of unusual power and singleness of purpose, open-hearted, 
outspoken, and never hesitated to condenni what he deemed 
to be wrong or to approve what he believed to be right. 

Senator vSewell for many years pos.ses.sed great influence in 
his State, and was equallv great in the Senate and generally 
in the councils of the nation. He had rare good judgment, 
which is the one necessary element of success ( whatever may 
be a man's other qualities or acquirements), in the proper 
discharge of private or public duty. 

Mr. President. Senator Sewell made a splendid reputation 
in the field as a soldier during the civil war and at home in 
New Jersex' in the management of private business and as the 
leader of his part\' for many years before he came to the 
Senate in iSSi. He was a positive man. and did not at any 
time shrink from any contest. He was an honorable oppo- 
nent, and when he gave blows he expected and was willing to 
recei\x- them in return. 

Senator Sewei.i. was not willing to surrender or conipronnse 
when he was sure he was right. He was for the right for 
right's sake. He was a man of energy, and in the business 
walks of life he was in the habit of doing things, and could 
.see from day to day and week to week that he was accom- 
plishing his ]Hirpose. 



Adi^rcss of Mr. Cidltdii. of Illinois. 29 

The business of the Senate, when compared with the large 
business enterprises with which Senator Sewei.l was famihar, 
moves slowlv. After he had been in the Senate a short time 
he liecame restless and felt that he was not accomplishing \ery 
much, ami while chafing under such feeling on one occasion 
he said to me, "When I was in private life, engaged in busi- 
ness. I felt that I was doing something for my family and the 
connnunity in which T live: when I was a .'^oldier in the I'nion 
Armv. I felt that I was helping to save the Union and the 
flag: but since I have been in the Senate. I do not feel that I 
am doing any good whatever. 

However, Senator Sewell was very soon recognized as one 
of the strong men in the Senate, and found him.self sought 
after and consulted on all difficult and important measures. He 
did not like to talk, and sometimes seemed weary of long 
speeches bv other Senators. He .seldom addressed the Senate, 
but when he did he had something to say, which he said in the 
fewest words possible in order to present the facts and make his 
views plain. 

It is said that brevity is the soul of wit. X(_) man ever demon- 
strated it more perfectl\- in the Senate. 

As a legislator. Senator Sewell did not stop to theorize. 
He saw the situation and determined upon his duty and with 
courage performed it. He was the architect of his own 
fortune. He was, as has been said by the .senior Senator 
from Xew Jersey, a native of Ireland; Init. like thousands of 
others from that unfortunate island who came to our shores, 
showed himself, when his adopted country called, ready to offer 
his life in defense of liberty and the Union. 

He cared nothing for show. He believed in plain living. He 
was a modest man. as most brave men are. His health failed 
him in the last vears of his service here, and while beheving 



30 Life and Character of William J. Seidell. 

that death was " waiting at the door," he strugsjled on tnitil at 
last the end came, and he passed away. 

Mr. President, it seems to me that I am constantly standing 
in the shadow of death — death in the family, death in the 
Senate. No class, a.ge, or rank can long escape the great 
destroyer. 

Senator vSewell li\ed in this his adopted country for more 
than sixty years. He witnessed its growth and pro.sperity. He 
took part in that momentous struggle in which the life of the 
nation was involved. He witnessed in that struggle the down- 
fall of slavery and rejoiced in its disappearance from our fair 
land. He saw how when the war ended the nation sprang 
forth as with a bound into new life and wealth and power. He 
lived to see this country increase in wealth and influence among 
the nations as no other has done in centuries. \\"hat a satisfac- 
tion to him to feel in his last days upon earth that he had done 
his part in maintaining the I'nion and in consecrating it anew 
upon the enduring foundations of liberty and equality. 

vSome one has said that he is great who is what he is from 
nature and who never reminds us of others. The subject of 
this memorial service to my mind comes within that definition. 

Mr. President, I clo.se what I have to say by stating that 
I have not known in my experience a more conscientious 
citizen, soldier, and statesman, or better friend than Senator 
\VlLLI.\M J. Sewell. 



Address of Mr. Proctor, of I 'crmont. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. Proctor, of Vermont. 

Mr. President: It was my good fortune to sit next to 
Senator Sewell in the Military Committee room during' the 
entire time of his ser\-ice since he last came into the Senate. 
He was very regular in his attendance at the meetings of 
the connnittee; it is needless to sa\" a good worker on all 
matters of business before trs. No man at the table was 
better equipped than he for the consideration of all questions 
pertaining to the Army. His eminent service during the civil 
war, his natural bent for military affairs, his strong judgment 
and earnest devotion to the good of his country, especially 
qualified him for the performance of his duties on that com- 
mittee. And he was resolute and forceful in their discharge. 
That there was never any doubt as to where he stood on any 
question, nor that he would stand there to the end, goes 
without saying. He was sturdy and strong, mentally, physic- 
ally, and in natural temperament. Courage and con.stancy 
were leading traits of his character. The.se qualities made him 
a born soldier of the highest type, but not for the tinsel and 
show of military service. But when the welfare of the country 
was at stake his intense loyalty was arotised and he was filled 
with the inspiration of combat. His entire military career was 
especially creditable, but his great charge at Chancellorsville at 
the head of the Second New Jersey Brigade, when lie captured 
nine stands of colors, stands out as most glorious, and for this 
he was awarded a medal of honor. Here he was on the 
offensive, and his work was dashing and brilliant. But had 
the occasion arisen for a de.sperate defense of a position, no 
soldier would have met the situation better than General 
Sewell. He would have stood like a rock. No matter what 



32 Life and C/mracU'r of ]\ iliiam J. Seucli. 

the odds, surrender would ne\er liave occurred to him as a 
possibiHty to be considered. Surrender was a word not found 
in his \-ocabular_\-. 

In legislation he was wisely conservative, but not retro- 
gressive, and an earnest believer in the future of his country. 
His judgment on military matters seemed almost intuitive. 
My seat ne.xt to his gave me the benefit of his aside remarks. 
"That will never do" was a frequent one, when an objection- 
able measure was brought up. But, though in.stantaneous in 
his decision to oppose, he was calm, deliberate, and methodical 
in acting upon it. And in the.se asides there was often a vein 
of rare humor, in which he seliloni indulged publicly, l.iut in 
which his well-rounded character was not deficient, though 
it might have seemed .so to the casual observer. Take him 
all in all, measure his life and work by our best .standards, 
and there are few who will take rank for sterling manhood, 
for great endeavor and achievements, for ripe judgment and 
vigorous common sense, with W'li.i.i.vji J. Skwkli.. 



Address of Mr. Daniel, of ]'irs;inia. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. Daniel, of Virginia. 

Mr. President: In couunon with hi.s coUeag-ues. I had 
great respect for Gen. Williaji J. Sewell, of New Jersey, 
late one of the Senators of that State in this body, and with 
them I deplore his loss to his State, his country, and the 
Senate. He was a manly man, of strong convictions and 
strong sense, and of great activity and usefulness, and he pos- 
sessed many qualities that attracted the affection of friends and 
the confidence and respect of all men everywhere. The many 
positions of responsibility, both of private and public trust, 
that he held and the acceptable manner in which he dis- 
charged them bespoke his great ability and force of character, 
while the frequency of his election to office, both State and 
Federal, demonstrated the favorable judgment pronounced 
upon him by the people of the great and progressi\-e State 
who knew him best. 

New Jerse\' is a Commonwealth in which the ' ' isms ' ' have 
found but little entertainment and which deser\'es the charac- 
terization of "conservative" in the best sense of that term. I 
say in the best sense, because the word " conser\-ative " is often 
abu.sed and employed as a shelter of indecision, of neutrality, 
or of time-serving. General Sewell. like the State which he 
represented, was conservative in the be.st and highest sen.se of 
that word. 

His career was indeed a remarkable one. It was such as 
could pertain only to an extraordinar>- man and an extraor- 
dinary coutitn,-. His lines in life and my own were far apart 
and generally far different. He was born in Ireland; I in 
the oldest settlement of the English race in America. He wa.s 
an active man of affairs — merchant, railroad president, and 
S. Doc. 226 ; 



34 Lif' nnd Character of William J. Sen ell. 

business man; I, a local lawyer. He, in settling in Xew Jer- 
sey at ail early clay became identified with his adopted State 
and perforce of his environment was imbued with all the pre- 
doniinant ideas of the Northern people. I, rooted to the soil of 
my fathers, was b>- nativity, heredit\', education, and en\-iron- 
ment alike imbued with the ideas that had been born in the 
birth and has grown with the growth of the jMoneers of our 
race and of our free and independent American institutions. 
ISut these tilings with right-thinking men ami with right- 
feeling men have never been a bar either to admiration or con- 
fidence or friendship, and there were many aspects and rela- 
tions in which we met on most congenial ground. 

He had in part represented here one of the old thirteen 
States that founded this Union and which had matiy ancient 
and historic and friendly ties with my own. He was a 
thoroughgoing and enthu.siastic American, and he had been a 
soldier — a soldier of such qualities as always commands tl.e 
admiration of all true .soldiers. So American was he that 
there was nothing in his appearance, manner, bearing, lan- 
guage, convictions, or expressions by which anyone would 
suppo.se that he was not "to the manner born," and anyone 
who would utter in his presence a sentiment of patriotism, of 
principle, or of generosity would be sure to strike a responsive 
chord in his bo.soni. 

I never knew General vSewp:ll until I met him here and was 
never thrown with him in intimate .social relation, l)Ut I was 
often brought in jiersonal intercourse and consultatii)n with him 
in our service in this body, especially pending the Spanislj- 
American war and the legislation therewith connected, when 
his position as a leading member of the Committee on Military 
.\lfairs gave great importance and far-reaching con.sequence to 
his labors. Those labors were great, thev were valuable, and 



Address of Mr. naiiiii, of I 'iiffiaia. 35 

they were high!)' distinguished. They were supported h\- his 
natural fervent energy, by his familiarity with niilitarj- affairs, 
which had been constantly refreshed by his performance 
of duty in Xew Jersey as major-general commanding the 
National Guard of that State. They were also no little aided 
l)y his experience in the civil war, where he rose from the 
rank of captain in the I'ifth Xew Jersey Infantr\' to Ije a 
brigadier-general and then a major-general. 

In that war he and I were in opposing armies, which tested 
each other's steel in more than six hundred battles, and 
some of those battles were among the fiercest, bloodiest, and 
greatest in soldiership and in generalship alike which are 
known to human history. 

In that war Americans of all sections achieved a respect for 
each other by those ([ualities which command and which compel 
respect and relegated to the rear narrowness and bigotrx', to 
be replaced by confidence and friendship. A most glorious 
achievement ! 

General Shwell wore upon his body the scars of Chancellors- 
ville and Getty.sburg and had attached to his name the highest 
decorations that a brave soldier can win. Xone respect more 
such honorable distinctions, won in such manner as he \\(in 
them, than the men who fought against him, and none can 
know Ijetter than they what they counted for and what tlie\- 
cost liim. 

For myself, I respected him Ijeyond what those distinctions 
them.selves either expre-s.sed or implied, first, because he 
appeared to me to value them more than he valued the 
many honors he had attained in political life and more than 
he valued his manifold succes.ses in business, wliich had 
brought him fortune; and .second, because I never lieard him 
say a word or saw him show a sign of prejudice, resentment. 



36 Life and Character of Williani J. Sciccll. 

or aniniosit\- toward the equallx' brave and patriotic men 
who liad encountered him. On the contrary, I know the 
fact that he took keen and earnest interest in urging honors 
for ex-Confederate soldiers who vohmteered in tlie Spanish- 
American war, and that it gave him profound gratification to 
see them intrusted with the flag of our country and to show 
them the fitting distinctions deserved by those who bear 
it well. 

Such things as these betokened to my mind more clearlj- and 
more decisivel>' the true soldier and the true patriot than any 
title or any medal of honor; and I record here, as it were 
standing by his toml). the grateful appreciation which I feel 
and which will l)e felt not onl\- in the South, l)Ut throughout 
the borders of the Union. My observation and experience 
alike have taught me that in these respects General Sewell 
was like the best and the most of the soldiers of all parts of 
America. Those who have the ranke.st and most unbridled 
tongues have seldom, indeed, become the heaviest of the 
burden bearers. Those who have borne the burdens of the 
battle have shown the least degree of grudge against those 
who bore such burdens against them; have rarely, indeed, if 
ever, used lielittling terms concerning them, and have always 
been the readiest, the heartiest, and the most cogent forces 
"of restoration, conciliation, order, peace, and friendship. 

In the travail of woman man is born upon the earth. So in 
the travail of mind is knowledge wrested from ignorance, and 
in the travail of both body and soul are the nations molded 
tuider God's providence and lifted up to higher and purer and 
better things. The dead soldier and statesman whom we 
mourn to-day and to whom we sa\' our last farwell bore his 
part like a true man in the heavy travail of his day and 
generation: surx'ived to share the jo>s of victory, to promote 



Address of Mr. Dan id, of I '/ixtiu'a. 37 

and welcome the dawn of a broader and brighter da\', to see 
the new generation come afield "and in mutual well-beseeming 
ranks march all one way." 

And so his life was crowned with such fullness of achieve- 
ment and satisfaction as should content the reasonable ambition 
and hope of man. We ma^' rejoice that the infirmities of age 
had not bereft him of his faculties ere life closed, and that such 
scenes as those which his heart craved and had yearned for 
were before his vision. Giving his body to the dust and his 
memory to his grateful country, we pray that He who alone 
can heal may heal the wounded hearts of his family and of 
those who knew him best and loved him most. 



3^ Life and C/iarac/cr <'/ W'illiaiii /. ScZ'.rl/. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. Warren, of Wyoming. 

Mr. President: If I were a.sked to name the dominaiiiii;" 
j)0\ver in tlie .Senate of the I'nited States, I would say it is 
tlie irresi.stilile influence which has come to us as a legacy 
from former members who have passed away. 

Whatever this legislative body has of patriotism, of (lignit\-, 
of devotion to dut\-, <.)f methods for the general good, is due 
in great measure tn the ideals e.stablished by the illustrious 
dead whose names have illumined its roll of meml)ership. 

And as the li.st lengthens and there is added to it the names 
of those with wlioni we have Ijeen in personal touch as friends 
and colleagues — aye, almost as brother.s — we wh<.) remain, and 
uj)(}n whom it devolves to pay a word of tribute, arc more and 
more dominated by the dead. 

The great orators, the lirilliant debaters, the noted states- 
men who liave pas.sed away — the Clays, the W'ebsters, the 
Calhonns of the .Senate — have not been the only class of mem- 
bers to bring the Senate to the degree of respect in which it 
is held as a dignified, orderly, conservative, and patriotic 
legislative body. 

A part, equal jierhajis in importance, has been taken b\ 
those who have performed their duty as the>- ha\'e found it — 
men w ho.se da\s with the .schoolmaster were brief, .self-tau,ght 
in the rough school of experience, carrying a connni.ssion 
rather than a dijiloma. hut knowing lunnanit_\" to its inmost 
heart, and (juick to the needs of the citizenship of the land. 
Men of this mold have left a potent impress upon the country, 
u]j(in Congress, and ujion those who have succeeded to their 
place in this body. 

Such a man was \\'ii.li.\:m J. Si-:wi-:i.i., United States .Senator 



.-IMirss of' Mr. Warren, of Wyoming. 39 

from New Jersey from iSSi to 1887 and from 1895 to 1901 — 
our friend and colleai^iie in whose memory we meet to-day 
to ])a\' what tribute our weak words can bestow upon the 
record of his hfe and deeds. 

General Sewell was not an American born; his birthplace 
was in that land which has i;iven many illustrious statesmen, 
citizens, and .soldiers to this their adopted country. He was 
not equipped with wealth to .start his career, and was forced 
to fi.ijht the battles of life without the aid and support of 
father and mother, both having died when he was a mere 
lad. The hard fortunes of the sea first engaged him, and as 
a boj- before the mast he sailed to the then almost unknown 
shores of the Orient. But hard as these first conditions 
were, he and not they obtained the ma.stery, and. starting 
the voyage as boy, he ended as mate. 

The story of his life is a record of success: not success 
coming by accident, influence of connections or friends, but 
by his own untiring perseverance, his devotion to duty, his 
capacity — his genius, in fact, for hard work. 

In e\-ery undertaking of his life he conunenced at the 
lowermost round of the ladder. When he went to the 
defense of his adopted countrx', he offered himself as a pri- 
vate soldier, but there must ha\-e been, in the face and figure 
of the handsome, stalwart youth of 25, evidence of the quali- 
ties of leadership, for his companions in his company elected 
him their captain. He was faithful to ever>- trust imposed 
in him. He was brave in battle. One who has chronicled 
his military life says: 

His charge at Chancellor.svilk- was one of the most brilliant feats of the 
war and won for him a medal of honor. It was the morning of Ma_\- 3, 
1S63, the last of the three days' battle. The Second Brigade of New Jersey 
had bnt two honrs' sleep during the night. They had formed in fighting 
line before daybreak and had been under continuou.s fire for over four 



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lifae (fflM scMaais wSlIk wltouajiii 3iie saniisd. .aaad ^ " 

EGinnasd ^as ^ Maaiiilber,. xacsr^acssidemii., smsn ipiEi - : _ __ _ 

.Qif Mamsagars isff idhe XafiiJGEialL Hjainae Eor LDtesifcikai TctiiinTmeer 
SijMaais sarrei lo snna&cirase ihs jsErdaiErps -oif Tn . ^nr j 
iGjld. iccBaEa&s. 

Amd so nrasa iite storj ce ^.^ _^- --^^ - -■-_■ ■ =tssna;g: dlaesr- 

ini jtmt'm italbiWg imp irilrtf' ikaitdaiaiEpS 'Oi 33a£ 'CrrWIITr') .saiG. t t r!/. : 

ilhe ipecls lOif sibf: fier.csai "nffinnks 'df tDafc '.anil -wz: :nisisz 

Soir i ! i iXr nivitf''hf iEaiisnakiLjus isnne ia liie 'r''n'.-fl7r^ . " -' 

iri i, ii iiinr inr - as a luHanijeas imisaa,. 'gamsHijag dae "r-.^er: . __ - 

lof a .gireaffi: StfcaiEE; .as a. HfgiHtTOor. Snae : ^anEiaaiiEi-.. Umie- 

ttiafaads .»mnni Ms j ainmniiiijijv : ■•™ifl -- -Jid aniaHJkiaind.. 

sua aaii Tnnnri jpeaD£. iaa .:z - _:i.. jrrTSEg icuasc nso 

TThiis 2& mu jii sacces? — ■oaaj'. las od JOiarE.. lae 'asssrre-z ss-^r^s-- 



42 Life and Character of Wil/iaiii J. Sezce//. 



Address of Mr, Penrose, of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. President: I always entertained .sentiments of the 
highest regard and esteem for our late colleague. General 
Sewell, in my acquaintance and friend.ship with him, extend- 
ing over many years Ijefore I came to this body, and the.se 
sentiments were intensified by the more intimate a.ssociations 
which I formed with him in the Senate. I sat next to him 
in this Chamber, We resided in adjoining cities, and repre- 
,sented adjoining States which have many connnon interests. 
I had many opportunities to observe the strength and 
greatness of his character and to fully appreciate the loss 
which we have sustained in his death. 

The career of General Sewell was distinguished b\- 
.splendid achievements; it affords an inspiration to any young 
man and illustrates the opportunities of our .\merican Republic. 
What he accomplished was not the result entirely of good 
fortune, but the rounding out of earj.est, intelligent, and per- 
sistent effort. He was born in Ireland, of a respectable famih' 
in moderate circumstances, being English upon his father's 
side and Scotch-Irish upon his mother's. The original coat of 
arms of the Sewell family was first conferred upon one of the 
line for gallantry at the battle of Crecy in defense of the Black 
Prince, and to this was added later the crest ' ' a mailed hand 
brandishing a cap of liberty," a republican emblem that conkl 
only ha\e been won by resistance to kings. 

He left home at the age of i6 to better his fortunes and to 
create a career. Joining an elder brother in New York in a 
mercantile capacity, he soon afterwards became a sailor before 
the mast, and made a numl)er of vo\-ages in \-arious directions, 
finally liecoming second mate by his indomitable energy and 



.-Ic/i/rcss oj Mr. Peiuosc. of Pcnnsvlvauia. 43 

forceful will. Late in the fifties he was found in Illinois occu- 
pying the position of what niiL;ht Ije termed a soliciting 
salesman, traveling the prairies seeking business for the house 
which he represented. It was then that he heard the 
noted debates between Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, which 
made a profound impression upon him, and tended largely to 
his adherence to the Republican part>' in later years. 

By chance lieing in New Jersey when the war connnenced, 
his naturally martial spirit and his devotion to his adopted 
country induced him to appl.\- to the governor of the State, Dr. 
Newell, for the position of second lieutenant in one of the 
regiments of that State. Governor Newell was .so much 
impressed with his appearance and his decided expression of 
views as to the conduct of the war that he appointed him a 
captain. Entering as a captain, he retired at the end of the 
war Ijrevet major-general. Upon man\- a liattlefield he attested 
his gallantry and military prowess, notabl\- at Chancellorsville, 
where he led the New Jersey brigade and recaptured from the 
Confederate forces a number of ITnion standards. 

At the end of the war he foiuid himself without any special 
friends in the East, with no inone>- accinnulated, and no pro- 
fession upon which to depend. Happening to be in New 
Jersey, he entered the .service of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company in a minor capacit\-, and remained continuously with 
that great corporation until the time of his death, becoming 
finally president of its lines in New Jersey. As a railroad 
official the .same Attributes characterized him as marked his 
military career. He was fearless in the discharge of duty, 
quick to grasp an opportunity to better the road which he 
represented, and singularly fortunate in inspiring ab.solute 
loyalty and implicit confidence in both his associates and 
subordinates. 



44 Life dud Cluiraclcr of W'illiaiii J. Scz^rll. 

Having settled in Canulen, X. J., General Sewell turned 
his attention to politics, and was soon elected to the State 
senate, where he ser\-ed for a number of \-ears, some time as 
president. In iS8i he was elected to the I'nited States Senate, 
defeating for the nomination such distingui.shed Repubhcans as 
George A. Hal.sey, George M. Robeson, and William Walter 
Phelps. At the expiration of his term, the State having 
become Democratic, he retired to private life. It was thought 
at that time that Xew Jersey was hopele.ssly Democratic and 
the prospect of Republican success very remote. Here it was 
that he exhibited that wonderful sagacity in political as in 
other affairs which di.stinguished him throughout life. Almo.st 
unaided he kept up the organization in his State witli such 
perfection that in 1S95 ^le was again elected to the United 
States Senate, and, at the expiration of his term, was reelected 
for the term expiring March 4, 1907. 

Among the many admirable traits in General Sewell's 
character .several sK.iod out preeminentK'. His modestv was 
evident. No one, however intimate with him, ever heard him 
boast or refer, even in the most indirect manner, to his achieve- 
ments during the war or in the great and important political 
events in which he had participated in civil life. In fact, he 
seemed to deprecate au\- personal allusion to himself, and when 
there was any praise to be awarded he was sincereh- desirous 
that others should be the recipients rather than himself. He 
was preeminently noted for the inviolability of his word. The 
old .saying, '■ His word is as good as his bond,'' applied with 
singular force to General Sewell, £nd in his case could even 
have been enlarged, for his word was better than his bond." 
He was not a man j)rofuse in protestations, neither did he 
make a promise nor incur an\' obligation without giving due 
consideration to wliat was invoh-ed. and whenever he .said he 



Address of Mr. Penrose, of Pennsylvania. 45 

would or would not do a thing, there was 110 retraction or 
reluctance, no compromise. He absolutely fulfilled what he had 
undertaken, so that in his own State political friend and foe 
alike fully realized that iu dealing with him there was nothing 
held back, there were no unfair surprises intended, but from 
the first his course was marked with fairness and candor. 

He exhibited a remarkalile loyalt\- to his friends. No man 
ever lived who was more thoroughl\- devoted to his friends or 
truer to their interests. His friends did not embrace an army, 
and he was careful as to whom he placed upon his list or 
brought near to his heart, but he could not be shaken when 
once his friendship and confidence had been acquired by 
anyone. If he erred at all. it was in his steadfa.st allegiance, 
unwilling to see things which with other men might have 
weakened the association. Xo slander, no innuendo, no 
attempt to depreciate or injure anyone \\ ho was upon terms 
of friendship or intimacy with him had the .slightest effect. 

He possessed keen discernment. Few men have excelled 
General Sewell in the extraordinary faculty which he po.s- 
sessed for picking out the right person for the work he had in 
charge. Without this faculty he could have hardly accom- 
plished his achievements as head of great corporate interests 
and as the recognized leader of a great political organization in 
one of the great States of the Union. He .seemed to know by 
intuition exactly how to de\'elop the best in a man, to discern 
what he was fitted for, and to realize his capabilities, influences, 
and aptitudes. Intrusted as he was with responsibilities which 
would have appalled almost anyone, he was able to bring about 
wonderful results, becau.se surrounded b_\' a staiT of efficient 
a.s.sistants who took their instructions from him, followed them 
faithfully, and never betrayed in the slighte.st degree the faith 
reposed in them. 



46 Life and Character of William J. Scwell. 

lie jiossessed threat iiuhislrx'. Il was General Sevvell's 
habit iie\'er to leave his office until he had disposed of every 
matter that could he attended to that daw His thoroughness 
in the dispatch of business was one of the secrets of his suc- 
cess. No detail, however insignificant, escaped his attention: 
no request, however unimportant, was not promptly acted 
upon; no person ever sought an interview upon a proper mis- 
sion and was refused; no letter worth\' of an answer remained 
unresponded to. 

General vSewki.i. possessed great breadth of \iew. He was 
a reticent man. He was a clear and forceful speaker, without 
pretending to be an nrator. In ]iri\'atc life, was not want to 
engage in much conversation. His was a reflective and 
ab.sorbing mind, alwa\'s an.xious fur information, never con- 
ceited as to his own opinion, willing to be advi.sed if he 
thought the ad\ice judicious, and capable of grasping a situa- 
tion, both as to its strong and weak points, almost instanth , 
which would ha\-e recjuired from most men considerable time 
for reflection. His career in the Senate illustrates his char- 
acter. There was .scarcely a tpie.stion presented to the Senate 
during the thirteen years that he ^\•as a memlier upon which 
he did not from the first reach a correct conclusion. 

He was loyal to his country, a loving and devoted husband 
and father, .steadfast to his friends, and faithful to every trust 
confided to him. As a citizen, soldier, and statesman his 
career was marked l.iy lo3-alty to truth and ]>rinciple. His 
name will have a bright and honored place in the historv of 
our countrv. 



Address of Mr. Depeu', of A^eic York. ^.-j 



Address of Mr. Depew, of New York, 

Mr. President: It was my privilege to know Senator 
William J. Sewell for more than a quarter of a century. 
He and I, during the whole of that period, were in the .same 
profession. It brought us clo.se together in tlic intiniacv of 
antagonisms and of friendships. Our acquaintance, our inter- 
course, ripened into the warmest friend.ship, and the more years 
I knew him the more I appreciated the qualities of mind and of 
heart which enabled him to accompli.sh the career which we 
celebrate here to-day. 

I know of no example at this particular period which is so 
rich in encouragement as that of Senator Sewell. Extremes 
always go together, and we are just now, more than at any 
other age, at the extremes of optimism and pessimism. There 
never was a time when for an American there was so much to 
be proud of. and to be hopeful for, and to inspire ambition, as 
now. And there never has been a time when, from the pro- 
fessor's chair to the jiiilpit, from the pulpit to the press, from 
the press to the platform, and from every public .source, there 
were so many and such unanimous expressions in regard to the 
failure of our institutions from now on to permit the develop- 
ment of the individual. There is the univer.sal cr}- ever\'where 
that the.se combinations which are forming from the natural 
tendencies of our age, both of capital on the one side and of 
labor on the other, are every day wiping out the unit and 
recognizing only the mass. 

It is the glory of our country that it has been builded upon 
the individual; that under our in.stitutions, differing from all 
others of all other lands and of all times, it makes no difference 
what mav be the start that the liov has in life, if he has in him 



48 Life and CliaracU-r of William J. Scu'ell. 

the making of a career, the circiiinstaiices, conditions, environ- 
ments, and institutions enable him to make it to the limit of 
his capacity. 

But we are told now that that element in our institutions 
has been negatived by the character of our industrial and 
financial development; that it is the corporation, it is the 
great organization of the trust, it is the mighty combination 
of labor which have wiped out the foundations upon which 
we have builded and that which is the hope of the future of 
the Republic of the United States. So .says the lecturer, so 
says the profe.s.sor,- so sa\'s the theorist, so says the agitator, 
so says the demagogue. 

" Now, here we have in the career of our friend the best answer 
I have ever known to just that question. He arrived in this 
countr\- and started handicapped as our American youth are 
not. All the great successes in our financial, our industrial, 
and our public life have been made by those who started with 
nothing, with no equipment except brains, character, industry, 
and ambition. But they were American citizens with all that 
that means. However, here was a foreign lad with none of 
those influences of family to which he could go for advice, 
and none of tlio.se influences of environment of the village or 
the hamlet or the county which would be proud of him and 
push him forward. Notwithstanding that, you have heard 
here in these \-arious eulogies what he accomplished, and still 
did not live to the full period allotted to man. 

He began as a poor boy, without a penny, and accumulated 
a fortune. He began in public life simply as a worker in the 
ranks of his part\- and reachetl the highest position that his 
country can give to one born upon a foreign soil. A member 
of the .senate of his State, elected the president of the .senate of 
his State by his associates, after he had been there two terms 



Address of Mr. Depeic, of New York. 49 

and he was entering upon his third, he was elected to the United 
States Senate and chosen for three terms. Starting as a soldier 
in the humblest position as an officer, by gallantry he retired a 
brigadier-general, and was then brevetted a major-general for 
gallantry in the field. Commencing in the humblest capacity 
in the railway in which he worked for nearly forty years, he 
became the president of all its lines in the vState in which 
he resided. 

Now, there is another element which is a refutal of these 
pessimistic views. He began his career in the corporation, in 
which the individual is eliminated, and all private views, private 
character, private ambitions, and private ability are reduced to 
the general mass, says the theorist. And yet it was in that 
career, which occupied the whole of his active life, in the 
service of one of the greatest corporations in this country 
that he achieved in finance a success, in public life a success, 
in his profe,ssion a success, as a .soldier a .success, in any one 
of which any man \\'0uld have been said by his neighbors 
and his family to have accomplished an honorable and 
distinguished career. 

If I may be permitted, as the trend of discussion has gone 
principally upon what he achieved, I think that his success 
was due to the directness and the courage which he had. 
The courage which he displayed upon the battlefield was the 
courage which was displayed by millions of his fellow- 
citizens who served under the one flag or the other during 
the civil war. But he had a higher courage than that mere 
physical courage, which is admirable, but with which our 
race is gifted. He had a moral courage, and to that he 
owed the major part of his success. 

During the period when he was most active in politics, when 
he was most ambitious for popular favor, there pre\-ailed 
S. Doc. 226 4 



50 Life and Character of ]\'illiam J. Sc-u'cU. 

through this country that singular craze and prejudice which 
said that the milHon of men engaged in the profession of 
railroading were unworthy of public confidence, and were 
dangerous to nominate for public office. There were times 
when this rose so high that, while both parties wished the 
.sen-ices of the railway man after the nominations were made, 
neither party dared nominate a man upon the pay roll of a 
railroad company for a village, a county, a State, or a national 
office. 

Many who had ambitions at that jieriod .sought to gratify 
their ambitions by denying the profession in which they were 
engaged or minimizing it; but Senator Sewell always remem- 
bered that he was one of a million men engaged in a profession 
which required as much, at lea.st, if not more, of ability, of 
intelligence, of sobriety, of industry, of fidelity, and all the 
qualities that go to make up good service and good citizenship 
than an\ other pursuit in the countrw He remembered the 
camaraderie that he had with these men, and he was deter- 
mined that by no act of his should there be a slur cast upon 
this profession that they were unworthy of public confidence 
compared with those who were engaged in other gainful and 
in other reputal)le jnirsuits in our countn,'. 

It was the peculiarit\" of this craze, of this prejudice, that 
it applied only to tlio.se who were on the pay roll and receiving 
their stipend — salary, wages, whatever it might be — in the 
regular way from the treasury of the corporation. During the 
whole of that period the president or the general counsel 
could retain distinguished lawyers who would receive as com- 
jjen.sation man\' times what the officer or the general counsel 
had in the wa\' of .salary, who would appear in the State and 
in the national courts, and sometimes when the Government 
and the coriioration were in anta.i^unism, and yet that politician. 



Address of Mr. Dcfic-w. of AVri' Vork. 51 

becoming a statesman, or one at the time, could appear in 
this capacity, and then upon the platform or iu Congress 
denounce the corporation and retain the confidence of his 
fellow-citizens. 

* I remember an incident at a national convention where 
Sewell and I were frequently in consultation upon this sub- 
ject and in which I was personally interested, where a gentle- 
man, distinguished in his State and in the nation, came to 
me and said, "You should retire instantly, for the sake of 
\()ur party, from the position in which \our State put >ou 
as its candidate for President, because in our State we have 
educated the people to believe that anyone who holds an}' 
pcsition under a railroad, whether it is a brakeman. a con- 
ductor, a locomotive engineer, a freight man. a pa.ssenger 
man, a pre.sident, or a general counsel, is unworthy of public 
confidence." 1 .said, '' My friend, what do you do? " "Well," 
he said, "outside of my public life — I am so engaged and 
engrossed in public duties that it is inipos.sible for me to take 
private practice, and so my entire living comes from the 
retainers given me by a leading Western railroad." 

Now, Mr. President. Mr. Sewell was no such man as that. 
'When he ran for the State senate first, and again and again, 
he was the leading railway officer and the representati\-e of 
all the railroads in his State, and he made no concealment of 
the fact. On the contrary, while he did not run as such, 
he did assert, " I am as worthy, if as a man and a citizen you 
think me .so, as \'ou. gentlemen, who are engaged in any other 
pursuit, avocation, or profession." And that courage elected 
him. It reelected him. It made him the leader of his party 
in his State. It did more. It made his State, which has 
always been freer from baseless prejudice than most of our 
Commonwealths, choo.se him the leader of the delegation in 



52 Life ami Cliarader of William J. Scivcll. 

six nauonal conventions, whtre he was to be a great force in 
saying who should receive the nomination for the Presidency 
and Vice-Presidency, when upon that nomination and upon 
that platform depended the fortunes of the party to which 
he lieli.inged. 

When in public life he illustrated that he could be a railway 
man in his profession and a public man when intrusted by the 
people with office. To his initiative, to his skill as a business 
man, and to his lack of prejudice on all ipiestions is due that 
legislation in the vState of New Jersey by which taxation has 
been lifted, so far as State taxation is concerned, from the 
farm, from industries, and from labor, and placed upon the 
corporations. He perfected that system .so that from the cor- 
poration and not from the farm, not from industries, not from 
labor, come in the State treasury of New Jer.sey to-day reve- 
nues which have relieved it of State debt, revenues which pay 
the whole of its State taxation, revenues wdiich take care of its 
educational system, and revenues which .seem as though they 
would ultimatel>- wipe out local taxation. 

Mr. President, Senator Sewell was in no .sense a spectacular 
man. We who knew him be.st knew that he avoided crowds, 
he avoided applause, he ne\-er played to the gallery. He was 
al\va>s intent tipon the one thing which he sought to accom- . 
plish. The motive power of his career was its directness, its 
courage, its outspokenness. When he started in the railway 
business he meant to l)e president of the railway, and he was; 
in finance he meant to get a fortune, and he secured it; in 
politics he meant to go as far as he could under the laws 
and the Con.stitution of the United States, and he did. 

In this .Senate his \-alue was in the fact that he undertook 
nothing which he did not conipleteU" understand, and that 
which he did understand by the submission of the judgment 



Address of I\Ir. Depcw. of Nca' York. 53 

of his associates to his great judgment, backed up by his won- 
derful information and industry, became the law of the land. 

He started to redeem the State of New Jersey from its rock- 
ribbed condition in the Democratic party. It had been allied 
to that party ever since the time of Jefferson, and including 
Jefferson's time. In that State, which is peculiarly interstate, 
within it.self, in the families who married and intermarried, 
there were traditions and legends of party associations most 
difficult to break, most difficult to sever; and vSenator Sewell's 
success in the twenty years' struggle by which he turned that 
State over to his own party, and by which it looks as if it might 
be kept there, was due to the qualities of leadership, in which 
he differed from most of the political leaders of my time. 

Political leaders, as I have known them — and I have known 
almost all of them in almost every State for forty years — are 
jealous of youth; they are afraid of yoitng ambition; thej- hesi- 
tate to acknowledge the rising genius which appears in the 
different localities of their State, and they frequently put a 
heavy hand on a young man who is marching ahead, according 
to their judgment, too rapidly, and may possibly interfere with 
or remove them from the seat of power. Sewell never had 
any fear on that point. \\'here\-er there was ambition in vouth 
he encouraged it; wherever there was ability he recognized it; 
wherever a young man could be placed .so that he could be 
most u.seful to the cause which vSewell loved, and which he 
believed ought to triumph, it never occurred to his brave and 
manly heart that that boy or that young man could hit a rival 
of himself. 

There is one race, Mr. President, which has contributed more 
to the government of this world in modern times than any 
other. It bears a very small proportion to other races, almost 
an infinitesimal portion. Wherever you go around the world, 



54 Life and C/ia racier of Wllliani J. Sni'ell. 

in seeing foreign countries and foreign sights, you come upon 
the colonies of the British Empire, and recognize that the sun 
in its course around the globe never sets upon the British flag. 
Wherever the situation is difficult, \vlierever government is 
almost impos.sil3le, \vhere\-er the climate is most deadly, wher- 
ever the population is nearer to barbarism and savagery, and 
therefore almost impossible to assimilate, there you find as a 
g()\-crnor a member of the Scotch-Irish race. The .Scotch-Irish 
race is a ver_\' small part of the inhabitants of the Briti.sh 
Islands, but in the civil and military affairs of England the>- 
occupy more distinguished, more powerful, and more numerous 
stations than all other races combined. 

That race has contrilnited much to the glory (jf the American 
Army and of the American Navy. Though an almost infini- 
tesimal part of our So, 000,000 people, it has contributed several 
Presidents to the United States, but it never gave to our public 
and mu' liusiness life, it never gave to our citizenship a better 
example or a more useful .service than when it contributed 
the grit, the pluck, the modest courage, the ability, and the 
indomitable ambition of .Senator Willia.m J. Jsewell. 



Address of Mr. Drydcn, oj New Jersey. 55 

ADDRESS OF MR;DRYDEN, OF NEW JERSEY, 

Mr. Pkesidext: As the junior Senator from Xew Jersey, 
precedent assigns to ine the duty of speaking the last word in 
these memorial services. But the story of General SewEIX's 
life, to which we have ju.st listened from the lips of those who 
kni_'W and honored him, renders it unnecessary for me to speak 
of him at length. 

It is especially fitting that this body, of which General 
Sewell was a member for nearly one-fifth of his busy and 
eventful career, should bear testimony by appropriate action 
and in a public manner to his sterling character and distin- 
guished services. These solemn observances are far more 
than a mere adherence to a venerated custom. The>- testify 
to a public loss. They signalize a recognition of the virtues of 
a useful citizen, a brave soldier, a wise .statesman. 

Devoid of the pomp and show which would characterize a 
similar event under other forms of government, their \-er>' 
simplicitv lends to them a force and dignity appropriate to 
the life of the man whom we mourn and to the memory of 
a patriotic and self-sacrificing servant of the Republic, in whose 
ser^-ice he was when he died. 

Considering the circum.stances of his foreign birth, remem- 
bering that he came to this country a mere boy in years, both 
fatherless and motherless, and that without friends or means, 
and with but scant store of education, he by the exercise of 
great natural abilities ro.se step by step from a ven* humble 
position in life to be a major-general and a Senator of the 
I'nited States, the story of Senator Sewell'.s advancement is 
remarkable and in some respects singular. Except that he 
was of Anglo-Irish lineage above the common, he might not 



56 Life and Character cf William J. Seieell. 

inaptly have said in the slightly altered language of Buhver 

Lytton; 

"Sly father died; and I, the lowly born, 

Was my own lord. Then did I seek to rise 

Out of the prison of my mean estate, 

And with such jewels as the exploring mind 

Brings from the caves of knowledge, buy my ransom 

From those twin gaolers of the daring heart — 

Low Birth and Inni Fortune. 

The outbreak of the civil war foinid General Sewell, then 
a young man, residing in Xew Jersey and alread\' occupying 
a responsible position in railroad work. He was among the 
first to an.swer the nation's call for men to maintain its vniity, 
and recruiting a company of his own went with it to the front 
as its captain. I shall not attempt to tell his story as a soldier. 
How he bore his part in that mighty four years' conflict which 
followed is splendidly attested b\- his early and numerous 
promotions, through which he rose .steadily to the ranks of 
lieutenant-colonel, colonel, brevet brigadier-general, and finally 
l)revet major-general. His first .star was given him for "gal- 
lant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Chancellorsville, '' 
where he was .severely wounded. For his brilliant services in 
action at Spottsyh'ania and Gettysburg, as well as in other 
great battles of the w ar, he was awarded a medal of honor by 
Congress. He was but 30 ^-ears of age when he was entitled 
to wear the double star of a major-general. These memorial 
events in his career are a part of our country's histor>-, and 
their st()r\- of his bra\'er>' and jialriotisni and of hardships 
endured for the love of his country will remain there to kindle 
the pride of his descendants and to encourage American youth 
to emulate his noble deeds. 

Two events sulj.se<inent to his service in the civil war illus- 
trate, one. the strength of his martial spirit, and the other, 
his capacitN' for conniiand. Soon after the clo.se of that great 
conflict he became identified with the National Guard of the 



Address of Mr. Drydtii, of New Jersey. 57 

State of Xew Jersey and continued in it for tlie remainder 
of his life, being its major-general commanding at his death. 
Occupying that position when the late war with Spain l)roke 
out he was anxious to take the field again and was, in fact, 
appointed and commissioned a major-general of United States 
Volunteers by the late President McKinley. Following that 
occurred a most unusual event. You will remember. Mr. 
President, >ou and those who were serving in the Senate 
with him at that time, how, at the urgent request of the 
late Mce-Pre.sident Hobart and a large number of his Sena- 
torial colleagues who believed General Sewell's services 
were imperatively demanded here as a member of the Com- 
mittee on Military Affairs, he with great reluctance and regret 
declined the appointment and remained in the Senate at the 
post which, in the judgment of many of his associates, duty 
assigned to him. 

Of his ability as a military commander I will mention but 
a .single instance. In the year 1S77 the country was pro- 
foundly agitated by labor troubles, particularly in coiniection 
with .some of the railroads. In certain localities outside of 
mv own State the fires of di.sconteut, which had been smol- 
dering, broke out in open conflagration. Property was 
destroyed and human lives sacrificed. Great lines of trans- 
portation were tied up and Ijusiness was in a state of partial 
paralysis. The trouble reached New Jersey, and the calamit\- 
there was imminent. The conditions demanded the exercise 
of talent of the highest order. To meet the emergency Gen- 
eral SewELL was made provisional commander of the forces 
of the State, assembled to preser\'e order, and sent to Phillips- 
burg, N. J., the greatest point of danger. With rare courage, 
deci.sion, and good judgment he opened and kept open the 
lines of travel throughout the territory under his command, 
restored peace and order, vindicated the maje.sty of the law, 



58 Life and Character of William J. Scu'ell. 

and, what is worthy of the highest praise, accomphshed all 
this without the destruction of property and without the loss 
of a single life. In the language of a conservative and com- 
petent authority, the late Adjutant-General Stryker. of New 
Jersey. "A more skillfully planned, silently but rapidly exe- 
cuted, and thoroughly effective movement was never made bv 
State troops in the history of this country." 

The qualities that enaljled General Sewell to rise to high 
rank and command in the military service of his adopted 
country marked him out for conspicuous success in the ranks 
of peace. Returning upon the close of hostilities in the civil 
war to his ante-liellum occupation and resuming liis old home 
in New Jersey, he soon began climbing the paths of peace 
to new places of honor and trust. Xo obstacles or difficulties 
could long stay his advancement. Ju.st as he had shown a 
marked genius for war, .so in linsiness and in statecraft he 
possessed all the important qualifications that make for .suc- 
cess. He was a man of sound judgment, quick in decision, 
and tuitiringly indtistrious. He had in a marked degree one 
other trait which is essential to permanent distinction in any 
vocation in life — ab.solute fidelity to his promise. His plighted 
faith was an inviolable obligation. Xo man could ever truth- 
fully charge General Sewell with lukewarmness or faint- 
heartedness to any friend or cause he professed to .serve. 

Innnediately after the civil war, associating himself with the 
Repul>lican party in Xew Jerse\-, he was chosen to the State 
senate in 1873, and continued a member of that body until 
elected to the Senate of the United States. His influence in 
shaping public affairs steadily grew, and in the councils of his 
party in his own State he became the acknowledged and undis- 
puted leader. In the larger field of national politics he was 
also potential. 

X'earlv ever\onc now a member of this Senate knew him 



Address of Mr. Drydcii. of AVa' /crscy, 59 

well as a coUea.ijiie. some for a long period of time. Those 

who served with him will bear me witness that here, as 

wherever else duty called him, he discharged every obligation 

with scrupulous fidelity. He did not aspire to the fame of an 

orator. He was essentially a man of action, not words. His 

ambition was to be known as a faithful, untiring, and effective 

worker. How well and aptly he might ha\-e said, speaking 

the words of one of Shake.speare's kingly characters: 

I profess not talking. Onlv this — 
Let each man do his part. 

His favorite resort here was the committee room — that place 
where so much of tlie effective business of the Senate is trans- 
acted. 

But if he shrank from public speaking, he was alert, active, 
tireless, and zealous in the performance of every dutv. He was 
a man of .strong and rugged character and when greatly moved 
by any cause near to his heart his whole nature became aroused 
and he could express himself with a directness and force clear, 
powerful, and convincing. Naturally a man of few words, he 
weighed his language carefully, but every utterance had its 
significance and place. I will quote one, and onl}' one, .sen 
tence from the speeches of this taciturn man. It was upon an 
occasion when the conditions, the circumstances, the surrotmd- 
ings were all calculated to move liim profoundlv. He was 
about to retire from the senate of New Jersey, to sever connec- 
tions which had la.sted for years, and to take his seat as a 
Senator of the United States. As he arose at the call, and 
amid the plaudits of his old friends, he said witli much feeling: 

You will not hear from me as an orator, for I am a simple man, labor- 
ing as many hours a day as any mechanic in the State, but when the 
nation and State are attacked and need a bosom to be bared to meet 
the attack, mine will be bared. 

These words furnish a key to his character. 

■\'ery nuich of his influence with his political as well as 



6o Life and Chanictcr of William f. Scwcll. 

business associates grew out of the trait of character to which 
I have already alluded — the absolute dependence that could be 
put upon his promise. His personal integrity was unimpeach- 
able. Under what appeared at times to be a rather cold and 
even hauglity exterior he had a kind, sympathetic, and tender 
heart which moved him to do many acts of benevolence. His 
faithfulness to anyone who had obtained his confidence and 
e.steem was proverbial. His friendship was as — 

Constant as the northern star. 

Of whose true- fi.xed and restini:; qualitv 

There is no fellow in the firmament. 

To sum up the life and character of \\'illi--\..m J. Skwkll. 
judging him by the standard of what he was and what he did, 
the facts lead to the inevitable conclusion that in his threefold 
capacity of citizen, soldier, and statesman he acquitted himself 
in a manner to reflect the highest credit upon the countrx- that 
gave him free, ready, and largest opportunity to develop and 
bring into splendid fruition the varied and brilliant qualities 
born in him, upon the historic State that honored itself in long 
honoring him, and upon all who were concerned or associated 
with him in his noble and remarkably successful life work. 
His exalted quality of citizenshi]:) is attested by his achieve- 
ments in the walks of peace, conspicuous among which was his 
evolution as a masterful developer of the great railroad SN'steni 
in which he started in a very humble capacity, and with whicli 
he was prominently identified nearly all his mature life. His 
character as a .soldier, as incarnated in his deeds, proves him to 
have been a born commander, as full of sagacity as he was of 
courage, equalh- ready as he was resourceful, skillful, and 
efficient. Tn the Senate, first of the vState he so nuich lox'ed 
and so richly adorned and then of the nation whose Govern- 
ment and in.stitutions he idolized, he bore himself from first to 
last as a wise, painstaking, and patriotic legislator. 



Address of Mr. Drydcn. of Xrio Jersey. 6i 

There is only the assertion of a simple truth in saying, Mr. 
President, that the man whose very distinguished career closed 
upon the 27th day of December, 1901, and whose memory is 
the occasion of these justly deserved remembrances, was in all 
the relations of life, private as well as public — 

Zealous, yet modest; innocent, though free; 
Patient of toil, serene amidst alarms; 
Inflexible in faith; invincible in arms. 

The Senate thereupon, in accordance with the sixth resolu- 
tion (at 4 o'clock and 5 minutes p. m. *, adjourned, the 
adjournment being, under the order made this day, until .Sat- 
urday, December 20, 1902, at 12 o'clock meridian. 

Fkbkiwrv 9, 1903. 

]\rES.S.\GF. FROM THK HOt'SK. 

The message also communicated to the Senate re.solutions 
passed by the House commemorative of the life and .services 
of Hon. \ViLLi.\-M JovcK Sewell, late a Senator from the 
State of Xew Jersey. 



Proceedings in the House. 

Jani'Akv 6, 1902. 

The House met at 12 o'clock m. The chaplain. Rev. Henry 
X. Conden, D. D., offered the following prayer; 

We come to Thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, 
becau.se we believe in Thee as a faithful friend, a wise coun- 
selor, and a trustworth}- guide, and because we know that in 
our weakness we need Thy counsel and Thy guiding hand 
in all the affairs of life. We bless Thee for the season that 
has just passed, with its hallowed associations and its far- 
reaching lessons, the home gatherings, their pleasures and 
joys; and we thank Thee that Thou hast brought us together 
again in health and strength. And, that the great problems 
that .shall come before this House may be ably and efficiently 
dispo.sed of, give to these, Thy .servants, clear minds, high 
resoh^es, and lofty endeavors, that they ma\" pro\-e themseh^es 
worthy of the confidence repo.sed in them by a great people 
whom they repre.sent. Since we last met death has entered 
into the Congressional family and taken from it a wi.se and 
faithful statesman, whose character has left its impress upon 
those who knew him and upon the nation he served. Com- 
fort, we beseech Thee, the .stricken family and bereaved 
friends with the blessed hope of immortality, and Thine shall 
be the praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

DEATH OF SENATOR SEWELL, OF NEW JERSEY. 

Mr. LouDENSLAGER. Mr. Speaker, it becomes my painful 
duty to amiounce to this House the death of that distinguished 

6.1 



64 Procccdino;s in Ihc House. 

citizen, soldier, and statesman, Senator William J. .Sewell, 
of the State of New Jersey. His death occurred last Friday a 
week, at his home, about 9 o'clock in the mornina:. For 
months he had heroically struggled against disease, which 
finally proved too strong for his constitution to longer resist, 
and he passed away, surrounded by his family, and was laid to 
rest on the last day of the year, mourned by thousands of 
people of his own and other States as no other citizen of the 
State was ever mourned. 

I shall not at this time, by any extended remarks, endeavor 
to express for my.self, the people of the State, or the thousands 
of his associates in bu.siness and politics the high appreciation 
and deep affection entertained for him. 

At some other time, under more appropriate conditions, the 
House will be asked to set aside a part of its time, when the 
members will be afforded an opportunity to pay such tributes 
to his memory as is befitting such a life, character, and distin- 
guished public service as was rendered by him to the State, 
in the service of his country, and the council of the nation. 

His untimelj- death is the greatest loss the State of New 
Jersey has ever .suffered. 

As a further mark of e.steem, I offer the following re.solu- 
tions: 

Resolved, That the Hou.se has heard witti profound sorrow of the death 
of Hon. WlLi.i.\M Joyce Sewell, a Senator of the United States from 
the State of New Jersey. 

Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the memorv of the late 
Senator Seweli, this House do now adjourn. 

Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate 
and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased Senator. 

The resolutions were unanimously agreed to. 

Accordingly, in pursuance of the resolutions (at 12 o'clock 
and 12 minutes p. ni. ), the House adjourned until to-morrow 
at 12 o'clock noon. 



Proceedings in the Hoitse. 65 

January 7, 1902. 

message from the senate. 
The message also announced that the vSenate had passed the 
following resolutions; 

Resolved, That the Senate has heard with deep regret and profound 
sorrow of the death of the Hon. William J. Sewell, late a Senator from 
the State of New Jersey. 

Resolved, That the Secretary communicate :i copy of these resolutions 
to the House of Representatives. 

Resolved. That as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased 
the Senate do now adjourn. 

December 13, 1902. 

Elt'LOGIES ON THE LATE SENaTOK SEWELL, OF NEW JERSEY. 

Mr. Gardner, of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I beg leaYe 
to siibmit a resolution and ask unaninioi.s consent for its 
immediate consideration. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

Resolved. That the House meet on Sunday, the Sth day of February, 
1903, at 12 o'clock noon, for the consideration of resolutions commemo- 
rative of the life, character, and services of the late Gen. WlLLi-\M J. 
Sewell, a Senator of the I'nited States from the State of New Jersey. 

The Speaker. Is there objection to the pre.seut considera- 
tion of the resolution? [After a pause.] The Chair hears 
none. 

The resolution was agreed to. 

Sunday, February S, 1903. 

The House met at 12 o'clock noon. 

Mr. William J. Browning, Chief Clerk, called the Hou.se 

to order and read the following connnnnication: 

February S, 1903. 
I hereby designate as Speaker pro tempore for this day Hon. Richard 
Wayne Parker, of New Jersey. 

D. B. Henderson, Speaker. 
S. Doc. 226 s 



66 Proceedings in the House. 

The Chaplain, Rev. Henry X. Couden, D. D., offered the 
following prayer: 

Almighty Father, whose spirit is everywhere present to 
uphold, strengthen, and guide Thy children in the discharge 
of the cares and responsibilities which must needs come to 
us in this earthly existence. We thank Thee for the holy 
vSabbath day, which takes us, if we will, out of the busy 
whirl and turmoil of life's activities, not only to quiet and 
re.st, but to a contemplation of the larger relationships of life 
with Thee and our fellow-men. We thank Thee for whatever 
is great in men as financiers, as discoverers, as statesmen, 
as .scholars or teachers of truth and righteousne.ss, but above 
all we thank Thee for that full rounded-out character in men 
which lifts them above self in poi.se and nobility of soul. 
We ble.ss Thee for all whom Thou hast raised up to be 
leaders of men, especially for the men of America who have 
wrought and woven into the fibers of our nation their 
characters, which make it strong and great; and as we gather 
here to-day, help us to call to mind whatever was noble and 
pure and lofty in those whom we would honor by this sacred 
service, and let Thy loving arms be about tho.se who are near 
and dear to them in the ties of kinship, to comfort and 
.su.stain them in that blessed hope of the innnortality of the 
.soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

The Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read and 
approved. 

OKDKR ni- PKOCEDUKK F«K THIS n.W. 

The vSph.\kkr pro tempore. The Clerk will read the order 

under which the proceedings of this day will be governed. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

On motion of :\lr. Canhier. of New Jltsl-v, by unaninions consent, 
Resol-.rd. That the House meet on Sunday, the Sth day of Feliruary, 



Pt'occidini^s ill tlic House. 67 

1903, at 12 o'clock noon, for the consideration of resolutions connneino- 
rative of the life, character, and services of the late Gen. William J. 
SewelL, a Senator of the United States from the State of New Jersey. 
On motion of Jlr. Flanagan, by unanimous consent, it was 
Resolved, That when the House meets on Sunday, the Sth day of Febru- 
ary, 1903, it shall consider appropriate resolutions memorial of the public 
services and life of Hon. Joshua S. Salmon, late a Representative from the 
Fourth Congressional district of New Jersey. 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES. 

Mr. Gardxkr of New Jersey. Mr. S])e;iker, I offer the fol- 
lowing' resolution. 

The Clerk read as follows: 

Resolved, That this Hou^e has heard witli sincere regret the announce- 
ment of the deatli of the Hon. William Joyce Sewell, late a .Senator 
of the United States from the State of New Jersey, and tenders to the 
famih- of the deceased the assurance of its profound sympathy with them 
in the bereavement they have been called upon to sustain, and the further 
assurance that this House recognizes the lofty patriotism and eminent 
abilities of the decea.sed and the value of his long and distinguished public 
service to his country. 

Resolved, That the Clerk be directed to transmit to the family of Mr. 
Sewell a certified copy of the foregoing resolution. 

Mr. G.VKDNEK of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, before proceed- 
ing, I desire to ask nnaninujus consent for general leave to 
print on this resolution. It so conies about that at least five 
distinguished gentlemen who were to speak here to-day, Mr. 
Dalzell, of Pennsylvania; Mr. Grosvenor, of Ohio: Mr. Bing- 
ham and Mr. Adams, of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Mcl'ermott, 
of New Jersey, are either confined to their homes liy sickne.ss 
or are unavoidably absent. It is desirable that they, at least, 
.should be able to place their triliutes of respect upon the 
record. 

The Spe.vker ]>ro tempore. The gentleman from Xew 

Jersey asks unanimous consent that general leave to print 

may be granted upon the resolution just read. Is there 

objection? [After a pause.] The Chair hears none, and it 

is so ordered. 

69 



70 Life and Character of William f. St'iccll. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. Gardner, of New Jersey, 

Mr. Speaker; We are met to commemorate the life and 
achievements of Gen. William Joyce Sewell, late a United 
States Senator from the State of New Jersey. His was the 
distinguished life of a distinguished man, and his a distin- 
guished character in a country and generation prolific of 
remarkable men and remarkable achievements. 

His life was an attestation of the merit of industry, integrit\-, 
and valor — valor not onl}- to lead the charge on the field of 
war. but also to follow conviction in civic affairs, whatever the 
threatened consequences. So it was' everywhere .said of him 
that his word was a bond, his promi.se performance. Foes vied 
with friends in admiration of his character, and at length he 
came to be regarded as the embodiment of New Jersey's civic 
and military wi.sdoni — the best representative of a magnificent 
State with a most splendid populace. 

The life of this man was simple, earnest, and eventful. He 
rose tu high rank and commanding power in. every field he 
entered. He commanded the unquestioning faith of .superiors 
in civil and military organizations, and the confidence of the 
public in political affairs. 

The biographical .story of General Sewell has been told and 
is written in the record. I shall not repeat it at length. He 
was. in part at least, of Scotch-Irish blood, a. strain which has 
contributed nnich to the countr_\-'s strength from the days of 
the colonies to the present. It may not lie true, as sometimes 
contended, that "If it had not been for the Scotch-Irish in 
America there would ha\'e been no Ibiited States of America. ' ' 
And again, "There would have lieen no Re\-olution, no 
revolt." It ma>' or nia\- not have been stated too strongh- 



Address of Mr. Gardner of A'e-.L' Jersey. 71 

when it was said that " The>- formed the Ijackbone and the 
best part of Washington's arm>-: " \mi the names of Stark, and 
Knox, and Pickens, and Mcintosh, and Patterson, and Scott, 
and MacDougall, and St. Clair, and Henry, and Rntledge, and 
CHnton, and Living.stone. and McKean, and John McKinley, 
and Richard Caswell, and New Jersey's own William Alexan- 
der form a mighty group amon.g the immortals of that period. 

Sewall was an adopted citizen — one among the millions 
who have come to America and have been inwahiable con- 
tributors to otir strength and greatness. The>- have joined 
in the development of onr industries and in expanding our 
commerce, have added to our scientific attainments, adorned 
the professions, embellished our literature, and defended our 
institutions in the forum and on the field. 

Senator Sewell was born in Ireland. He was English 
on his father's side and Scotch-Irish — perhaps Irish and 
Scotch-Irish — on his mother's. He came to the United States 
at the age of 16 years — shipped on a merchant vessel as a 
sailor for a voyage around the world and returned mate of the 
ship. Soon after the return he was nuistered in as a captain 
of a. New Jersey company for the civil war. He served until 
its close and retired a brevet major-general. Being now in 
private life he took employment with the Camden and Amboy 
Railroad Company. He remained a railroad man bv occupa- 
tion for the balance of his life. In the early seventies he also 
entered the field of politics, from which he retired only at 
death. He was chosen to the State .senate for three terms 
of three years each. He left that office to enter the Senate of 
the United States. Although he twice failed of reelection 
to that body, because of the defeat of his part>- in the State, he 
remained the leader and was each time the candidate and 
the choice of his part\- for the high office. He was afterwards 
twice reelected to the Senate and died a Senator. 



72 Life and Chayidcr of William f. Seicell. 

The sailor h)oy, the captain of \-ohinteers, liad l)ecoiiie a 
general and a vSenator of national renown and the comnian<ling 
figure of his State. 

New Jersey is honored by a long roll of names great in war 
and peace. In the war of the Revolution, Alexander, Max- 
well, Dayton, Winds, Xewconib. Shreve, Martin. Brearly, 
Ogden, Rhoa, and many more achieved fame befitting ;i 
monument. 

In the war of 1812, Perry with others won immortality and 
added luster to their country's arms and hi.storx'. Kearney 
and Stockton added new glor\' to her page in the war with 
Mexico. Xo monument could rise broad enough and lofty 
enough to bear the names of her sous who merit imperishable 
fame for deeds done on the fields of the great ci\"il conflict. 

Her sons have been not less eminent as jurists and .state.s- 
men. vSlie had her Daytons. her .Stocktons, her Frelinghuysens. 
As an explorer, her Albert ^Montgomery Pike left his name 
towerii!,g forever on the peak above the clouds. And yet it 
has some how come alxjut that the unassisted, .self-made 
Sewell is adopted as lier popular hero, and to him she will 
probably erect the first monument connnemorative of a 
distinguished son. 

WiLLI.'i.M J. SewKLL was one of tile few who could walk 
alone. He was wholly self-reliant. His opinions were formed 
from influences within rather than without, and never de- 
pended upon what another man thought or wrote or said. In 
both civil and military affairs his determinations were quick 
as the promptings of intuition :ind. if authority or respon- 
sibilit\' were his, action was as prompt as decision, and he 
pursued the cour.se determined upon with singleness of ]>ur- 
pose and disregard of personal consequences. Those who 
knew him well in arms best understood his self-reliance and 



Address of Mr. ('ninincr, of Xnc Jersey. 73 

his qualifications for iiule])eiident action and command. An 
instance will illustrate. On a bloody and well-nig-h disastrous 
day of the civil war. General Mott deceived an order in sjen- 
eral terms to "Fully develop the .strength of the enemy in 
front." He pa.ssed it to Sewell. When the corp.s commander 
noticed a youthful and smo(rth-faced fi.a;ure leading a force 
into the woods, he rode up to General Mott and asked, "Will 
that \oung fellow develop the enem>- ? ' ' The reply was 
characteri.stic of the gallant Mott and expressed the faith 
superior officers had in Sewell. Before the sun went down 
that tlay the commander might well have wished the develop- 
ment had been leas efficient. 

General Sewell's life was a campaign whose close fomul 
him a conqueror. With no friends, save those he made by 
noble effort, he had all the adverse external conditions of a 
"stranger in a strange laud" to overcome. He had neither 
the aids of friend.ship, fortune, nor a thorough preparation 
for his work. He was incapable of resorting to flattery or 
hypocrisy. He was not endowed with great tact. He would 
not silently pur.sue a right course for a false reason. Hence, 
every advance he obtained he was required to conquer. He 
fought his way to promotion as a sailor. He fought his 
way to every promotion in war. He fought his way in his 
adopted profe.ssion, and won his promotions by achievements. 
He fought his way under adver.se conditions in politics, and 
here again he had to conquer to succeed, and although, in 
his later years, all trusted and none opposed him, he still 
bore the arms and wore the armor. He lifted his battle-ax 
in very boyhood and never laid it down — it fell from his 
relaxing grasp when the aged conqueror was dying. 

Hence vSewell charging out from amid.st defeat and di.saster 
of the army at Chancellorsville and delivering a .stunning and 



74 Life a)td Character of William J. Sc-a.'ell. 

Ijewilderiiig blow straight in the face of victorious pursuit, 
while giving to history and the world one of its most glorious 
spectacles of gallantry in arms, but illustrated the real char- 
acter of the hero of that hour. Nowhere, in any capacity, 
was defeat, however o\-erwhelmiug it seemed, accepted by him 
as complete or final. He wheeled and charged, and charged 
again. Where the tide of disaster was to be stayed and turned 
back, he was most heroic and conquering. 

He was of that class of mighty actors who do not so much 
write their names in the histor\" of great events as the>' fix 
their image t:poii them. They illustrate themselves on the 
.scene of the most eventful hour. Not a story Init a .scene illus- 
trates them in a waj' so characteristic that the life is portrayed. 
Sewell as a lad resisting mutiu}' — in earh- manhood enlisting 
to preserve the Union — later quelling riot: and then giving all 
his splendid energy to the overthrow of what he believed to be 
wrong and oppressive in civil affairs, exhibits his intuitive 
determination to aid in preserving and upholding order and 
law and justice. 

The spirit of adventure was born in \\'illi.\.m J. Sewell. 
It was true to his nature that he early cros.sed the seas to 
America. When he shipped as a sailor it was inevitable that 
he should choo.se as his fir.st experience, if opportunity offered, 
a \'oyage around the world. It could readily have been fore- 
told that he would phnigc himself into the civil war. Beneath 
the quiet, dignified, but gentle exterior was a lion heart 
throbbing with a mighty impulse to do .something great for 
man and .society. The civil war met that impul.se. The 
tuiprecedented struggle offered ample opporttniity even for 
satiation of all such ambitions. Sewell, with the thousands 
of other like spirits, was satisfied l>y the experiences and .scars 
of four vears of .steadv fighting, and he settled down to the 



Address of Mr. (iardiicr, of AVa' Jersey. 75 

work of civil life. But he hail lieen l)oni for conflict — storms 
were his element. To the storm he would have drawn, and 
arrayed himself with the right as he .saw it. vSomewhere, at 
some time, he nuist ha\-e been an actor at the point of the 
world's greatest tumult. 

Few ever achieve success from resotirces so purely personal, 
iimate, and characteristic. When he .sailed on the voyage 
around the world, it is not recorded that he had a friend on 
shipboard, yet he rettirned mate of the .ship. When he went 
into the war, he was unknown in his conunand and left no 
influence in his vState to seek his advancement, yet he left that 
command a brevet major-general. When he entered the rail- 
road service, he had "no friend at court," yet he died the 
president of the road. He entered politics without a relative 
or political friend in New Jensey at a time when all eminent 
positions were occupied 1)y men of historic famil\- and political 
resource, and he was regarded .somewhat in the light of au 
intruder; he became the unquestioned leader wlio.se opinions 
were accepted as public policy and "molded a State's decrees," 
a United States Senator whom none aspired to un.seat. So, 
too, in every enterprise with which he was a.ssociated, his 
suggestions were largely adopted as lines of business policy. 
This brings to view the most uncommon, mo.st remarkable 
combination of elements in this one man. Nature seems to 
ha\-e almo.st overendowed him; as a man of affairs, as a .soldier, 
a statesman, a politician, he achieved greatne.s.s — several full 
measures of success, any one of which might well satisf}- e\-en 
a proud ambition. 

In his home life and relation Sewell exhibited that 
chivalrous regard, devotion, and tender solicitude for family 
beautifully typical of the Scotch the world o\-er. Wherever 
the Scotchman, whether from Scotland or Ireland, may go. 



76 Life and Chayactcr of William J. Sarcll. 

however hard liis lot or engrossing; liis cares, the wellsprings of 
his domestic love never dry: and though his rugged nature is 
hard to touch and move, and though he exhibits the giant's 
strength and the greatest self-control, if you mention the loved 
and absent he is conquered and betrays it with a tear. I have 
never met a man of this blood who could with dry eyes speak 
of his mother's grave. 

When General vSeweli. died the light to which Jerse.vmen 
had looked for a longer period and with greater confidence 
than to any preceding one for guidance in liotli civil and 
military affairs was extinguished. How fully we had trusted 
him, how wliolly we had relied upon him. what burdens we 
had impo.sed upon his bu.sy life, we did not realize till he had 
gone. Then we saw he had filled many places; that he had 
been our statesman, our .soldier, our politician — the inspira- 
tion of our policies and enactments, the very sources of our 
political will. 



Addicss of M) . MtClcllan, of Ncic York. 77 



Address of Mr. McClellan, of New York. 

Mr. Speaker; Many years ago, when a little boy, I was 
taken by my father to a session of the senate of the vState of 
New Jersey. What particularly impressed my childish mind 
was the presence of the presiding officer. I can remember the 
respect and admiration I felt for him. I thought he was one 
whcse example all might follow. A quarter of a century has 
passed since then, and during that time my first impression of 
William J. Sewell has grown stronger with the years. 
Although niv lot has been cast in another vState, I have always 
felt a Jer.seyman's pride in her strong men, and a Jer.seyman's 
love for those who have made her famous. 

.Sewell occupied the seat of Jonathan Elmer, of John 
Rutherford, of Richard vStockton, and Jonathan Dayton. With 
such a parliamentary ancestry it would not have been surpris- 
ing had he been lost in the shadow of his forebears; yet 
Sewell stands out as the representative of all that has made 
New Jersey, and that has made this great nation of ours what 
they are to-day. 

Honesty and ability are the presupposed pcssessions of every 
man who enters the Senate, but in addition to these essentials 
vSewell possessed a manhood and a manliness that were 
worthy of the best traditions of our history. A gallant soldier 
in the Arm\- of the Potomac, with a dash and daring that came 
of his Irish blood, a masterful ruler of men in politics, he 
achieved success and fame through his own exertions and 
because he never compromised with his sen.se of right. 

Although he was a militant partisan, he never permitted 
part>- prejudice to swer\'e him from the path of righteousness. 
Xo more splendid page is written in our history than that 



78 Life and Character of William J. ScTltII. 

which contains the st(iry of Sewkll's moral courage in the 
Fitz-John Porter case. I'ndeterred by the fact that it had 
become a party issue, undaunted by the pressure of social and 
jiolitical friends, it was enough for him to lielieve that a great 
wrong had been done to a gallant soldier, and, taking his very 
political life in his hands, he fought the good fight through to 
\-ictory. Those who knew the man expected nothing other 
from him. His fi.ght in this particular case was but an inci- 
dent in the battle he waged through life — a constant struggle 
of all that was just and honest and true — a struggle that is 
crowned to-da>' with the victory of the love and respect of all 
who knew him. 



Address of Mr. Hull, of Iowa. 79 



ADDRESS OF Mr. Hull, of Iowa. 

Mr. Speaker: It was not my good fortune to know General 
Sewell previous to my entrance into Congress. While I had 
met him at great conventions, it was in such manner as to 
onlv acquire a casual knowledge of the man; but when I came 
here and he eiUered the Senate the lines of legislation threw 
us together so closely that I learned to know him well, to have 
a profound respect for his judgment, and to have an admira- 
tion and love for the man. The life and achievements of 
vSenator Sp:weli<, as outlined by the gentleman from New 
Jer.sev [Mr. Gardner] this morning, are the greatest tribute 
that can be paid to the genius of American institutions in 
affording such men from any country the opportunity to 
work out their own great destinies, as well as the greatest 
tribute to the vSenator himself. 

Coming to this country, as stated, a poor, unknown boy, 
entering the Army of the Union to battle for the life of the 
Republic and the perpetuation of free institutions, fighting his 
way up without any fictitious aids, rank by rank, step by step 
until, as stated, he left the Army of the United States at the 
close of the civil war with the high rank of brevet major- 
general — he achieved nuich of military glory. Then, turning 
to civil life with the same energy, the same integrity, the same 
courage, the same intelligence and high purpose, he carved for 
himself a place both in business and in politics that makes him 
stand luirivaled among the .sons of New Jersey. 

His life and his achievements, his accomplishments, his 
character, all leave an inspiration for the future, not onl\- to 
the sons of New Jersey, but to the young men of the Republic 
wherever the historv of the country is .studied. To the vSenate 



So Life and Clianictcr of W'iltiam J. ScutU . 

of the United States he l>rought a trained intellect, a thorough 
knowledge of politics and government, and when he was on 
committees of conference, his judgment almost invariably was 
of such character, backed by such reason, that the conferees 
associated with him, almost without exception, yielded to his 
desires, his wishes, or his arguments. 

Mr. Speaker, during this busy life in the Senate of the United 
vStates, at the head of a great railroad corporation, looking after 
tnultitudinous questions that affected those associated with him, 
both in politics and bu.siness, there never was a time when this 
great-hearted .Scotch- Irish American was not ready to turn 
aside from his l)usy pursuits to look after the interests of those 
who served their country with him (hiring the days of the civil 
war. Most men in his po.sition woidd have had enough to do 
to occupy them fully, either as president of that great corpora- 
tion or as a Senator of the United States. Mr. Sewell. 
however, attended to both, and then gave enough time to see 
to it that in the great Homes that are built up by this generous 
Govenmient to care for those who battled for the flag during 
the days of the rebellion their inmates were cared for, their 
wants supplied, and the liest interests of the Homes at all times 
advanced. 

I regret that it was not my privilege to know him more in 
his home life. One evening I was a guest at his home for a 
.short time, and I found there that the jieople of his neighbor- 
hood, the statesmen who were visiting his locality on that 
occasion, went to his house to spend of the evening the hours 
that were left in converse with this sa.ge of New Jersey. There, 
too, through that gentleness, that hospitality, courte.sy, and 
kindness which so jiervaded his nature, as well as the ability 
with which he presented the different que.stions that came 
before us in our conversation, I learned to admire him in 



.-J'Mrcss of Mr. [lull, of Ici-u^a. Si 

that place ns I had learned to love and admire him in his 
public life. It is a ,!<reat tril)ute to an\- American to saj- that 
his home life is perfect, and that is all that was needed, to 
ray mind, to round out the splendid career of this great man. 
I am glad to be here to-day to listen to that part of the tribute 
of my friend from Xew Jersey [Mr. Gardner] and to pay 
\\\\ tribute of respect, feeble as it may be, to this man who 
adopted our country and added renown and glory to her 
citizenship. 

S. Doc. 226 6 



82 Life and Character of William f. Seidell. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. Steele, of Indiana. . 

Mr. Speaker: It was my good fortune to know Senator 
William J. Sewell well, the acquaintance begiiniing during 
the session of the F()rt>-se\-enth Congress, while he was serving 
as vSenator and as a member of the Committee on Military 
Affairs, and I was a member of the House on the .same com- 
mittee, where we were thrown together quite frequeuth'. It 
was only necessary to be with Senator Sewell a ver\- short 
time in order to be impressed with his superb qualifications as 
a business man. I came to know him Ijetter on account of our 
association as members of the Board of Managers of tlie 
National Soldiers' Homes from 1S91 until his death. To those 
who did know him well it is not surprising to learn from 
his biography that, although he came to this country from 
another as a poor boy. he succeeded in every undertaking to 
the satisfaction of his friends and, no doubt, of himself. 

He shipped as a bo\-, bound for the Pacific, and became the 
first officer before the end of the voyage. He enlisted as a 
private at the outbreak of the civil war, and clo.sed his military 
career as a major-general. Whether in military life or in bu.si- 
uess life, it was always the .same with him; he landed at the 
head of every enterprise in which he was engaged, without 
regard to where he started. He was three times president of 
the senate of his .State, and elected three times as a Senator of 
the United States. Six times was he chairman of the State 
delegation to the national conventions. He was one of the 
oldest members in continuous .service of the Board of Managers 
of the National Soldiers' Homes at the time of his tleath. He 
served one year as its president, utter h- refusing further elec- 
tion to this important office on account of pressing bu.siness 



Address of Mr. Steele, of Indiana. 83 

engagements too ininienmsly made to become a memlier of 
the Board, notwithstanding the earnest desire of his fellow- 
members that he should do so. He showed great interest, 
in fact, unusual interest, in the philanthropic business of the 
Board. 

vSenator Sewell was a quiet, modest, and unobtrusive man, 
al)le, forceful, honest, and .strong. He was held in the highest 
esteem b\- all whose fortune it was to know him. He was a 
faithful, loyal, and affectionate husband and father. He wa.s 
loved and revered by his family. I attended his funeral and 
was not surprised to learn in what high esteem he was held by 
the citizens of New Jersey, and especialh- of those of the city 
of Camden, in which he lived, every business house, large or 
small, of whatever character, being absolutely closed. The 
memorv of such men truly lives after them. 



84 i^ijc and C/iaiai/tr of William J SeTccll. 



ADDRESS OF Mr. STEV/ART, OF NEW JERSEY. 

Mr. vSpEAKKK; Dt-ath is regarded in the relijiioiis and poetry 
of all nations both as a destroyer and deliverer: as a sting as 
well as a blessing; as a consummation, and a .sad interrnjition; 
as a ciu'se and a benediction. 

It requires faith luiqnestioned and profoiuid to believe that 
death is other than a curse when it takes a beloved one in the 
he>' da>- of youth, in the roseate hour of hope and promise; but 
We are in a measure satisfied when the grim messenger takes 
one from otir ranks whose life work h.is lieen crowned, whose 
career ended, is lirilliant and replete. Life then prolon.ged is 
but repetition, cunudati\e, and oftentimes monotonous. 

The life of vSenator Sewkll was complete, was crowned, was 
finished, full of u.seful lalwr and distinguished succe.ss. 

B(jrn in Ireland in lowl\ , middle rank, he succeeded by sheer 
merit and abilit.\- t<i reach the highest office in the nation 
eligible to the foreign born. 

He was a commanding figure and power in his State, and a 
United States Senator of wonderful influence and prestige. In 
his adopted State he was a man of large affairs and influence, 
ami his strength was always directed to increase its com- 
mercial, manufacturing, and agricultural interests, and Xe\\- 
Jersey properly appreciates the efforts of Senator Shwki.i. 
in the de\-elopment of her interests along these lines. 

l'>ut it is as a soldier, coura.geous, daring, ever intreind, that 
General Sewell's enduring fame will largely rest. 

The stor>- of his soldier life, and his deeds of heroism read 
like a romance Who will ever forget Skwei.i. at Chancellors- 
vilie and his lirilliant achievements in that great battle? 



Address of Mr. Stcii'art. of Xcv Jersey. .S5 

(leiieral Sickles in his ciflficial report of the battle sa\'s: 

Charge after charge was made by this gallant brigade iimler Cwlcpiiel 
Sewkll, Fifth Xew Jersey, upon whom the command devolved 1 after the 
loss of General Mott and Colonel Park. Second New York \"olunteers, 
wounded) before it was withdrawn, terribly reduced and mutilated, from 
the part a.s,signed it. Its stern resistance to the impulsive assaults of the 
enemy and the brilliant charges made in return were worth\- of the "Old 
Guard." No soldier could refuse a tribute of admiration in remembrance 
of the last charge made. .\ small body, for a regiment, drove the enein\- 
out of the rifle pits near Fairview before withdrawing and returned with 
40 men, whose sole reliance in this charge was in the bayonet, iver\- 
cartridge having been exploded moments before. 

Stich was Sewell, the soldier. 

Sewell in appearance was esseiuiall\" military, and his mind 
was in the mold of the hero. Always taciturn, his silence was 
as si,£;nificant and sr)metitnes as ominous as the sphinx, and 
filled yoti with apprehension that what he wotild do next miijht 
"make or unmake him quite." 

His purpose was always lofty, never trivial; he loved his 
adopted cotnitry with a chivalrotis and courth' devotion, and 
was always ready to immolate his services, his means — yes, life 
itself, on its altars. 

General Sewell was a polished gentleman, withal, not 
demonstrative, bttt .strongly and warml>- attached to his friends, 
and as constant in his friendship as destiny. He 1>elie\'ed 
friend.ship to be the "sweetener of life, the cement of the .soul, 
the solder of .society," nor was he unforgiving toward his ene- 
mies; his .soul harbored no bitterness; it was gentle and kind 
and his whole bearing and conversation toward those with 
whoui he came in social or official contact tended to encotirage 
and help. 

Sewell, as has been said, was a silent man, but when he 
spoke a kindly smile w(juld often irradiate his stern face and 
his words wotild be low and sweet and full of friendly interest. 



86 Life and Character of William J. Seurll. 

His memory comes to us not in :i " robe of mourning and in 
a faded light," but in Ijrilliant colors and colossal figures as 
a dignified statesman, a heroic soldier, a stateh- citizen, and a 
constant friend. 

We are satisfied that time will add to the estimate of 
Sewell's worth and services, and that a just posterity will 
regard his military exploits and civic employments at a nnich 
higher standard even than is so generously accorded by his 
contemporaries. 

In these memorial services we note in halting words the life 
of those we think we know sufficienth' to testify concerning. 

Our lives are involved, too, most of us in a less conspicuous 
sense, but all amply within their limitations. We alone know 
.surely our purpose and inspiration, but let us all sincerely hope 
that each of us in our public efforts, and in our private con- 
cerns and friendships, will be guided by the spirit General 
Sewell was controlled by — a lofty and generous patriotism 
and unselfish devotion to duty, and a magnificent and enduring 
love of mankind. 

In parting we salute the splendid and distinguished dead, 
while we abide a while in the shadow of the Great Mystery 
with the waiting and anxious living. 



Address of Mr. Foicler. of Nczc Jersey. 87 



Address of Mr. Fowler, of New Jersey. 

Mr. Speaker: Now neither the birthplace nor the parent- 
age of William J. Sewell interests us or those who shall 
come after us, beyond the simple matter of history. 

But what he aspired to be, what he did, and what he was 
are matters of vast importance, since his life is a priceless 
heritage. Ours is an age of true hero worship in the largest 
and lie.st .sen.se of the term; and the life of William J. vSewell 
will long be an inspiration to every lad of New Jersey, where 
the potentiality of his personal influence will never cease if the 
secondary or reflected power of his .soul shall be taken into the 
range of our contemplation. 

What Willi-\:m J. Sewell did has lieen recounted else- 
where, and his achievements have also lieen reviewed here 
to-day; therefore, I shall pay my tribute of respect to this 
natural leader and chieftain of men by recalling those qualities 
and characteristics which, combining, it seems to me, made 
him what he was. 

His purpose never slept. He knew as well as any man I 
ever met that one of the mo.st striking differences between 
men in the race of life is the measure of determination. His 
determination was invincible. His energy was measured by 
his heart beats. He died like a warrior in the fury of battle, 
restless because he must rest. 

Buoved up and borne along by a God-like will, he clearly 

saw that — 

True ambition tliL-re alone resides 
Where Jvistice vindicates and Wisdom sjuides. 
Wouldst thou he famed? Have those high acts in view 
Brave men would act. 



88 Life and Character of William J. SciltII. 

Me clearly saw that all work is noble- if nobly done, and 
every task was so nolih' wrought by him that it was tinned 
into a stepping-stone to a higher and liroader plane of action, 
where duties nudti])lied and Vmrdens hea\-ier grew, only to 
bring new opportunities to his asjiiring soul. Through well 
doing, from round to round, he mounted the ladder of fame 
and held his ])lace with eipial poi.se. As step 1)_\- step he 
gained his vantage ground, he left no doulit in any mind that 
his " words were bonds." Indeed, there were tlio.se — 

Who scanned the actions of liis daily life 

With all tl;c industrious malice of a foe, 

.\nd nothing met their eyes but deeds of honor. 

Nor was his the honor, confined and measured lj\ subtle 
.speech whose terms fi.x.ed narrow liounds for his interjireta- 
tion, but rather thai which soiuuls in wisdom and knows no 
limitation except what justice makes. By every instinct 
he seemed to know that honor, indeed, is the finest sense 
of justice the human mind can frame: and being .so ha]>pily 
and fortunateh' constituted he could — 

Poise the cause in justice's equal .scale. 

Whose beam stands sure, whose riglitful cause prevails. 

Herein lay the wistlom of his ]iarty leadership more than in 
practice and experience, for the former was absolutely es.sen- 
tial, while the latter could only l)e a heljiful incident in such 
constimmate succe.ss as his. 

His life was one of many relationships, and he almost inva^ 
riabU , with unerring discernment. couUl detect the false and 
discover the true, and realizing that a fal.se friendshi]), like 
clambering vines, shades and rots the walls it covers, while 
true friendship brings to life the brightest stni.shiue and 
.sweetest pleasures. He recognized and held as friends onl\ 
tried and trans]).irent characters. 



.liM/rss of Mr. Foiclcr, of Ne~ic Jersey. 89 

No one ever charged him with iHsloyaltN' nor placed a 
Hniit Id the measure of the support to which he was justh' 
entitled. He never forgot a friend, and he requited e\-er>- ta\-or 
fourfold. 

He was a stranger to the sense of ingratitude, and though he 
almost personified reserve in his militar\- mien his heart was as 
tender as a child's. 

These were the qualities which, miiting in his soul, maile 
him a patriot of heroic mold. 

Never shall I forget his jxitriotic words when his heart had 
been touched bv the iiresentation of a token of friendshi]), iq)on 
which he discovered the name of his wife interwrought with 
his own. 

Alluding to his love for that countr>- which had made it 
possible for him to do so much for himself, with an emotion he 
only with the greatest difficultx' could partly conceal, he 
expressed a profound regret, evidently most sincere, that it 
had not been his glorious fortune to fall in battle fighting for 
her cause. He said that this had been the one earnest desire 
of his life, and that when from political considerations, urged 
by his colleagues in the United .States Senate, he could not 
accept the commis.sion tendered him liy President McKinley, 
he willingh- and gladh' laid both of his boys upon the altar of 
his country. 

( )f him it can be truly said: 

Mv country chiim;. nie all, claims every pas.sion, 
Her liberty henceforth be all my thought. 
Though with a brother's life cheaply bought, 
For her mine own I'd willingly resign, 
.\nd sav with transport that the gain was mine. 

\Vii.li.\:m J. SkwI'I.l possessed the will <if a god, and was 
inspired by a noble ambition. He was wise, he was grateful, 



90 Life and Character of William J. Sewell. 

lie was loyal, he was brave. "His iutegrity was as spotless 
as a star." His life was as pure as a bar of light. He loved 
his country, and the fnll measure of his devotion to her was 
not found in his own life nor in the priceless li\-es of his two 
sons which he gladly proffered, but in an earnest desire that 
his blood might be poured out on the battlefield in defense of 
her flag. 



Address of Mr. Adams, of Paiusv/vania. 91 



Address of Mr, Adams, of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Speaker: I can not .say that the.se memorial .ser^-ices 
which we hold in commemoration of onr departed colleagues 
appeal to my best judgment. I rarely participate in them, but 
there are occasions when the distinguished abilities of the 
departed member make an irresistible call for recognition, and 
when to this is added a warm friendship of many years' 
standing one can not refrain from paying the tribute justly 
due to the legislator and the friend. In my opinion the 
best eulogy that any man can have is the record of his 
public services during his life. That opinion is more than 
confirmed by the case of the distinguished gentleman whose 
memorv I rise to honor. His life was one of acts and deeds 
and not of speech. His acts are recorded in the records of 
his Congressional career. His energy is displayed in the 
many business interests which he brought to a state of almost 
perfection, and his gallant deeds are written on the pages of 
the history of the country he loved so well. 

The life of General Sewell is one of the grandest illustra- 
tions of the liberality of our institutions as founded by our 
forefathers, to enable individual worth and individual energy 
to have full opportunity for their development under our 
free institutions, regardless of station in life or the support 
of powerful influence. 

Senator Sewell. inspired by that active ambition which 
predominates in the Scotch-Irish character, emigrated to this 
country at the age of 18 years. He at once entered upon his 
life work with a clear and vigorous mind and with a stern 
determination to meet every duty and trust with his best effort. 
He was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1861, when the 
war of secession broke out. With the same assurance that 



92 Life and- C/iaraclcr of William /. Sc7ccll. 

a]>pertaiiiecl to his daily work he a]3pHed in liis conviction that 
liis senMces belonged to his adopted country. W'e were receiving 
its benefits. He felt that he must return his obligation in 
maintaining its integrit\'. He organized a company of volun- 
teers and was commissioned a cajitain in the I-'itth Xew Jersey 
Regiment, and served during the entire war with gallantr\- and 
militar\- abilit>-. His devotion to his new duty was such thai 
within a year he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel, and 
was .severely wounded at the battles of Chancellorsville and 
Gettysburg. It was at the former liattle that, while tempor- 
arily commanding the Second lirigade of Xew Jerse\", he led a 
daring charge and achieved one of the most brilliant successes 
of the war, capturing many stands, of colors, and .so earned his 
brigadier-generalcw 

.\t the close of the war. on April 2, 1865. we find him -\\\\ 
in the service, taking an active ])art hi the campaign which 
led til the surrender of General Lee. After his long and 
gallant ser\-ice at the close of the war he was lirevetted 
major-general. 

General Sewell'.s military career is another illu.stration of 
the patient care and strict attention to the matter in charge 
which alwavs characterized whate\'er he luidertook, A strict 
disciplinarian, he was noted for his kindh' feeling for and 
the careful attention which he gave to the men under his 
command. He was esteemed and beloved by all who came 
into contact with him, and even amid the rigor and hardships 
of a military campaign the kindly side of his nature was 
never hardened b\' the terrible .scenes and acts occurring dail\- 
under his knowledge. 

Senator SEWKr.i. illustrated that type of Americ;in M)Ulier 
who. Hke CincinnatU'-. when the war was over, laid down his 
sword and returned to his peaceful avocations. He entered 
into the service of the Peinis\-l\-ania Railroad svsteni in its 



.-hJ(//rss of Mr. Adams, of Pcniisvh^aiiia. 93 

New Jersey branches. Here again his indoniitaljle will and 
perserverance led tn his rapid pronuition. and he passed from 
one grade to another until he became president of one of its 
roads. Senator Shwki.i.'s mind was of too active a nature 
to be limited simply to his business routine. He was naturally 
attracted to public affairs, and took an active interest in the 
politics of the State of New Jer.ses . This vState was wise 
enough to command his services, and he was elected to the 
State senate. Here the same force of character stood him in 
good stead, and with the same result, for he became the jiresi- 
dent of the senate. In 18S1 he was chosen by the legi.slatnre 
to be its United State.s Senator. In that liody he was known 
as the "silent Senator," l.iut the impression must not be 
gained that he could not express his views, for when his coun- 
.sel was .sought vSenator vSewell could express his judgment in 
as clear and forceful a manner as any of his colleagues in 
thai illustrious bod>-. It was m.it lack of ability, it was the 
mode,st\- and reserve of the man, as he rarely volunteered his 
ad\-ice, but never sought to evade the responsibility of his 
position when his opinion was demanded. 

But, Mr. Speaker, it is left to those who knew Senator 
Seweli. as a friend ami in his domestic relations to most 
thoroughlv appreciate his character. Like all men of reserve, 
when once a man was taken into his friendship, he was loyal 
to an uncommon degree, and .stood ever read^' to aid and 
advise when called upon b\- that tie. It was my good fortune 
to see a good deal of Senator Seweli. in a social way, and 
I will ever prize the opportunity I so had of knowing a man 
of so pure and honest a character, with such high ideas of 
his duties in public and private life; and much as the State 
will mourn his loss and miss his great .services, and brilliant 
as is his record on the pages of his country's history, it will 
be those who knew him best will mourn him the most. 



94 Life and Lharactcr of William J. Seicell. 



ADDRESS OF MR. PARKER, OF NEW JERSEY. 

Mr. Speaker: The life of William Joyce Sewell was 
a romance. He wa.s a little boy in an Irish town, where 
his father, an Englishman, held some office, I believe, in the 
internal revenue. Hiii mother was one of the Irish gentry, 
but that boyhood was spent in poverty. As a youth he 
became a sailor amid the islands of the Pacific. Then he 
came here and was a soldier for the Union, decorated for 
bravery with a medal of honor, retired after four years as 
brigadier-general and brevet major-general, and still in his 
early manhood. 

He began life anew as the captain of a freight yard. He 
ro.se in the same quick fashion to lie superintendent and 
president of a railroad that was one of the great branches of 
the Pennsylvania system. Then, as a politician , first as State 
.senator, he suddenly came into command of the political 
circles of his State — a command that was almost as military 
as that which he had exerci.sed in the Army. Elected 
Senator of the United States amid a storm of opposition, 
defeated for his second term, he was finally reelected by 
acclamation, taking a place here at the head of the nation, 
where he was the tru.sted adviser of our wisest Presidents and 
carried the weight and strength of the man who is born to rule. 

One fact alone w^ill show this. The President wished to 
make him a major-general in tlie Spanish war. His asso- 
ciates could not spare him from the Senate and begged him 
to remain. 

Such a life is a romance, but it is one that is not easy to 
tell. His nearest friends know how deeply he loved them, 
how thoroughly he trusted them, how loyal he was to them, 
how fullv he felt for them, how eager he was to advance all 



Address of Mr. Parker, of A^eiu fcrsey. 95 

those in whom he beheved. But his nearest friends heard 
very httle about himself. He was the hfelong soldier, who 
acted instead of talking, who decided instead of remem- 
bering, and who thought onh- for 'a purpose. 

And yet all this kind of description tells very little about 
him, either to friends or to strangers. It tells ver\- much 
more of his heart to know that in manhood he went back to 
the little Irish town where he had spent his boyhood in order 
to go past and look at the house where his mother had lived, 
but without the heart to go in, becatise it was occupied by 
strangers. It tells something more to remember the more than 
brotherly affection which always prevailed between himself and 
his brother, Robert Sewell, the lawyer, of New York, who 
had come here almost with him, where the two brothers had 
helped each other in their new country in the Xew World. 

At the battle of \Villiam.sburg he was a young captain of 
infantry. I think it wa'* his first field. A fieldpiece and 
some ammunition had been captured from the other .side. 
He took possession of it, like the sailor that he was — ready 
for everything — and, with two or three men to help him, was 
.serving the piece against its former owners. At this time 
General Kearny rode up and asked him his name and his 
regiment. He said, "Do you belong to the artillery?" 
"No; to the infantry." "How did you come to serve the 
gun? " And when it was explained he said, " Be kind eiiotigh 
to give General Kearny's compliments to your colonel, and 
say to him that yow are a gallant and efficient young officer 
who.se conduct ought to be commended." 

General Sewell was prouder of this, his iir.st commendation 
in his first battle, than perhaps of any other. The military 
phase of his character remained throughout his life. It was 
almost as a chief that he always received his friends in the 
receptions which were held by him, crowding his rooms at 
Trenton, whenever he went to the State capital. \\'ithin 



96 Life and Character of William f. Seurll. 

what he deemed to be his own sphere he disposed of all 
matters with military promptness and precision, and yet no 
one could be more regardful of the sphere of influence of 
others. His delicate deference to the wishes of representatives 
whose opinions differed from his own was as marked as his 
aut(X-ratic rule where he had the right. His sensitive honor 
was shown by the fact that as ex-senator of the State, and 
at one time ex-Senator of the United States, he alwavs 
refused to exercise the privilege of going upon the floor. 

He began his political career in New Jer.sey amid the nicst 
bitter opposition. Before his death he had conquered the 
res])ect and love of those wlio had been most opposed to him. 
He lived simply. He made no display. He was a ma.gnate 
in railroad circles, but no one would have known it from his 
ways. He did his duty through life, never fearin.g to assume 
new work, until wliat he had to do in busine.ss, in .statecraft, 
in charity among the old soldiers and elsewhere, finally over- 
whelmed him. 

When he died the whole State went into mourning. His 

funeral was a spontaneous outburst of grief. For courage. 

loyalty, truth, and courtesy, whether as soldier, statesman, 

citizen, or man, the memory of William Joyce Sewell is 

dear to his friends, who are found where\er his work was 

done, whether in war, in government, or in the pursuits of 

peace. Let us keep such memories green. 

Blessed is the land whose heroes still have life 
Within the heart-world of their countrymen, 
Inspirilinji its youth to noble deeds 
.\nd love of what has made it free and ,E;reat. 

Tlie Spe.\kkk ])ro lem])<)re. .Vre there an\- further remarks? 
The question is upon the adoption of the resolutions. 

The question was taken, and the resolutions were unani- 
mously- agreed to. 

O 



